Comedian De General Convicted of Drug Trafficking

Skit maker and comedian Sunday Joshua Martins a.k.a De general and one Caleb William, a cinematographer were convicted for unlawful possession of 15 grams of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Marijuana.

Early this month, it was reported that operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stormed the comedian’s apartment at midnight. Also, a spokesperson of the NDLEA Femi Babafemi confirmed that certain illegal drugs were found on the skit maker during the raid.

However, in a recent development, it has been reported that Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted the comedian alongside a cinematographer, Caleb William for unlawful possession of 15 grams of Cannabis Sativa and 14grams of tramadol.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Osiagor held that the volume of substance was minimal and would rather convict the defendants and caution them, rather than sentence them.

The court, consequently, convicted the defendants and cautioned them to “go and sin no more”.

Both defendants were charged with three counts of trafficking Tramadol and Cannabis Sativa.

De general and William pleaded guilty to the charge.

After their pleas, the prosecutor, Mr. Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered evidence before the court, through an NDLEA exhibit keeper, Mr. Lucky Oghaifu.

Among the evidence tendered 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.

In response, the Defence Counsel, Chief Lilian Omotunde, urged the court to consider other options besides sentencing the defendants, on the grounds that the defendants were still at their prime and could still be useful to society.