The police yesterdayarraigned 14 persons in a Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, for smoking substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
They are also arraigned for criminal conspiracy, constituting public nuisance and belonging to gang of thieves.
The accused are Hasiru Hamisu, 25; Umar Faruk, 18; Umar Mohammed, 20; Salihu Harisu, 20, and Aminu Salisu, 19.
They include Abdusalam Umar, 20; Michael Oyilero, 20; Nura Dan-mama, 19; Obama Ibrahim, 22, and Sani Danshehu, 19.
Others are Gambo Ibrahim, 21; Nwobodo Lucky, 23; Wisdom Okeroko, 20, and Sanusi Abdullahi, 23.
The prosecutor, PC Friday Adaji, told the court that on April 29, at about 9.30 a.m., a team of police officers, led by
ASP Nachamada Gayus, raided a notorious spot at the Orange Market, Mararaba and arrested the accused persons.
He said that they were arrested while smoking some dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the offence contravened the Penal Code.
If convicted on all the charges, they are liable to 12 years in prison, option of fine or both.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, admitted them to bail for N200, 000 and two sureties each in like sum.
Maga ordered that the sureties must have landed property and be resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
He also ordered the sureties to write an undertaking that the accused would not commit any criminal offence again pending the determination of the case.
Maga adjourned the case until May 8 for hearing. (NAN)
