A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced Ashiru Idris, 28, to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media. The conviction followed his prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over offences related to the promotion and sale of illicit drugs.
According to the NDLEA, Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, after a video circulated online showing him publicly advertising cannabis for sale. Acting on the directive of the Kano State Commander, operatives of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command tracked and apprehended the suspect before charging him to court.
Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court convicted Idris on July 14, 2026, ordering that the seven-year prison sentence should take effect from the date of judgment. The court held that publicly promoting and offering illicit drugs for sale through digital platforms constituted a serious violation of Nigeria’s drug control laws.
Reacting to the judgment, the Commander of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command, CN DY Lawal, described the ruling as a landmark decision and a strong warning to individuals who use social media and other public platforms to promote or engage in the illicit drug trade. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to acting swiftly on credible intelligence and ensuring offenders are brought to justice.
The NDLEA also appealed to members of the public, community leaders, families and social media users to support efforts against drug trafficking and substance abuse by providing credible information that could assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and prosecuting offenders.
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