Drug peddler wants charge interpreted in vernacular

A 28-year-old drug trafficker, Salisu Rabiu, on Thursday pleaded guilty to conspiracy and peddling of Indian hemp in Lagos State.

Rabiu told a federal high court in Lagos, through an interpreter, that he committed the offences together with another man at large.

He was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Ibrahim Kala on two counts.

When the charge was first read to him, Rabiu shook his head to convey that he did not understand the English Language in which the charge was preferred.

He then said in Hausa that he only understood the Hausa Language.

Consequently, the court asked for an interpreter.

When an interpreter was got, the court’s registrar read the charge in the English Language again and the volunteer interpreted same in Hausa to the defendant.

According to NDLEA counsel, Mrs N.I. Erondu, the defendant conspired with one Nasiru Bello, who is now at large, to peddle Indian hemp on Nov. 20, 2023, at Ikorodu in Lagos State.

After the charge was interpreted to the defendant, he pleaded guilty to both counts – conspiracy and illegal deal in Indian hemp.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered in evidence, documents such as a drug analysis form, a scientific aid form and the illicit substance.

The court admitted them in evidence and convicted the defendant.

Defence counsel, Mr O. Ojakovo, prayed the court to show mercy on his client, arguing that he was a first-time offender.

The court sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment with an option of N300,000 fine, and ordered destruction of the illicit substance.