Nigerian comedian and cinematographer Sunday Joshua Martins, popularly known as De General has reportedly been released from NDLEA costudy.
The comedian was arrested on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 for alleged drugs possession.
In a recent viral video, the comedian is seen in a car being driven to an unspecified location while being recorded.
Meanwhile, a report by Naija News noted that Degeneral and one Caleb William, a cinematographer were found guilty of drug trafficking by Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court in Lagos
Justice Osiagor while passing his ruling stated that the volume of the substance found on them is
minimal and he would rather convict the defendants and caution them, rather than sentence them.
He convicted the defendants and cautioned them to “go and sin no more”.
The comedian and the cinematographer were charged with three counts of trafficking Tramadol
and Cannabis Sativa.
ALSO READ: NDLEA’s raid on De General’s home, a waste of taxpayers’ money — Basketmouth
Degeneral and William pleaded guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Jeremiah Aernan, after their plea
reviewed the facts of the case and tendered evidence before the court, through an NDLEA exhibit
keeper, Lucky Oghaifu.
Among the evidence tendered to include statements of the defendants, drug analysis form, certificate of test analysis, request for scientific aid form, packaging of substance form among others.
He urged the court to be guided by the provisions of Section 356(2) of the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act and convict the defendants based on their pleas as well as the evidence adduced by the prosecution.
The defendants, according to the charge were said to have committed the offence on Jan. 12.
The prosecutor said that they were arrested around the Lekki area of Lagos for unlawfully dealing in
15g of Cannabis and 14g of tramadol.
He said that the offence contravenes the provision of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws
of the Federation, 2004.
The Defence Counsel, Lilian Omotunde, urged the court to consider other options besides sentencing
the defendants because the defendants were still at their prime and could still be useful to society.
