A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.
Gatekeepers News reports that the conviction followed his arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kano Strategic Command after a video circulated online allegedly showing him publicly promoting cannabis for sale.
According to the agency, Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, on the directive of the Kano State Commander, CN D.Y. Lawal, and was later prosecuted before Justice S.M. Shuaibu, who delivered the judgment on July 14.
NDLEA described the ruling as a landmark judgment, saying the seven-year prison term will take effect from the date the judgment was delivered. The agency added that the conviction sends a strong warning to individuals who use social media and other public platforms to promote or engage in the illicit drug trade.
Reacting to the judgment, the Kano State Commander reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to acting swiftly on credible intelligence and ensuring that drug-related offences are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
He also urged members of the public, families, community leaders and social media platforms to support efforts to curb substance abuse by providing useful information to law enforcement authorities.
