Federal High Court delivers tough verdict as NDLEA warns against promoting illegal drugs online

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis for sale on social media.

The conviction, delivered by Justice S.M. Shuaibu on July 14, 2026, followed Idris’s arrest earlier in the year after a video surfaced online showing him openly promoting cannabis, also known as marijuana.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday through its Kano Strategic Command spokesperson, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, said the arrest was carried out on April 22, 2026.

According to the agency, operatives acted on intelligence and directives from the State Commander, CN DY Lawal, after the video gained traction online.

The NDLEA described the ruling as a landmark judgment, noting that it underscores the consequences of using digital platforms to promote illicit substances.

The court also ordered that the seven-year sentence take effect from the date of judgment.

Reacting to the verdict, the NDLEA Kano State Commander, CN DY Lawal, said the judgment sends a clear message to individuals involved in drug-related activities, especially those who attempt to exploit social media for illegal trade.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tracking and prosecuting offenders, adding that authorities will continue to act swiftly on credible intelligence.

The NDLEA further called on the public to support its operations by providing useful information to help combat drug trafficking and substance abuse across the country.