The Ekiti Police Command on Thursday arraigned five accused at an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates Court for alleged possession of Indian hemp.
The accused – Omotoso Opeyemi, 29 years old, Folorunso Emmanuel, 28 years old, Lamidi Alaba, 42 years old, Sanmi Ojo, 38 years old, and Babatunde Abimbola, 26 years old – face one count of possession of Indian hemp.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Elijah Adejare, told the court that the accused committed the offense on August 12 at about 8:00 am in Ado-Ekiti.
He alleged that the accused had in their possession weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and illicit drugs.
Adejare said the offense contravened Section 5(b) of the Indian Hemp Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
He urged the court to adjourn the case to allow him to study the file and present his witnesses.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.
The counsel for the accused, Mr. Adedayo Awe, urged the court to grant bail to the accused, with a promise that they would not jump bail.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kehinde Awosika, granted the accused bail of N20,000 each, with bail each of the same sum.
Awosika subsequently adjourned the case to October 15 for hearing.