Judge Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday sentenced a social media comedian, Joshua Sunday, also known as “D General“, for drug trafficking.
The defendant, also influential on social media, was brought to court by the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, along with Caleb William, a cinematographer.
In sentencing, Judge Osiagor held that the volume of substance was minimal and he preferred to convict the defendants and warn them, rather than sentence them.
The court consequently sentenced the defendants and warned them to “go and sin no more.”
Both defendants, aged 22, were charged with three counts of trafficking Tramadol and Cannabis Sativa.
Both pleaded guilty to the charge.
After his pleadings, the prosecutor, Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts of the case and presented evidence in court, through an NDLEA exhibitor, Mr. Lucky Oghaifu.
Among the tests offered are: statements of the accused, drug analysis form, test analysis certificate, scientific assistance request form, substance conditioning 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 on the basis of their allegations and the evidence presented by the prosecution.
According to the charge, the defendants are said to have committed the crime on January 12.
The prosecutor said they were arrested in the Lekki area of Lagos for illegal trafficking of 15 g of cannabis and 14 g of tramadol.
He said the offense contravenes the provision of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
In response, defense attorney Chief Lilian Omotunde urged the court to consider other options besides sentencing the defendants, arguing that the defendants were still in their prime and could still be useful to society.
Earlier, during court questioning, the defendants told the court that they had never tried drugs.
They told the court that the substances were used as props for their comedy skit, which they were in the process of filming, prior to their arrest.
