(High Court. Photo by Daily Nigerian)
A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, to seven years in prison without the option of a fine, over charges of advertising and offering cannabis sativa for sale on social media.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, by operatives of its Kano Strategic Command after a video of him promoting cannabis for sale went viral online.
Delivering judgement, Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, convicted the defendant and ruled that his prison term would commence from July 14, 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NDLEA’s Media and Advocacy Officer in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, described the verdict as a landmark ruling and a firm warning to those exploiting social media to advertise or sell illegal substances.
The Kano State Commander of the NDLEA, CN DY Lawal, said the judgement had reinforced the agency’s resolve to clamp down on drug-related offences.
Adding that it strengthens their determination to confront offenders who openly promote illicit substances on public platforms, and that the agency would continue acting swiftly on credible intelligence to ensure such offenders face justice.