Lagos – Four unemployed men allegedly caught smoking hemp, were on Tuesday charged before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court on Lagos Island.
The accused– Abdullahi Oshemani, 26, Focus Akorede, 23, lsmail Amusa, 20, and Ajadi Bello, 27, are facing a charge of causing air pollution to members of the public.
The prosecutor, Insp Phillip Osijiale, told the court that the accused persons committed the offence on June 2 at about 11:50p.m., at Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.
He alleged that the accused persons were in the habit of smoking hemp and disturbing the residents of the area.
“Some members of the residents’ association in the area reported the matter to the police.
“They complained that the accused after smoking the hemp started to misbehave and harassed passers-by,’’ he said.
Osijiale said that the offence contravened Section 166 (d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 166 (d) prescribes a N15,000 fine for first offender and N45,000 fine for subsequent offence or three months’ imprisonment.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The magistrate, Mrs Memunat Folami, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties in like sum.
She then adjourned the matter to July 18 for mention. (NAN)