By Ayodele Popoola

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The Department of State Services (DSS), on Tuesday, arraigned a 33-year-old man, Bashir Alhassan, before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged illegal possession of a gun and Indian hemp.

The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a four-count of illegal possession of firearms, possession, and cultivation of Indian hemp.

The state prosecutor, Boluwaji Iwajomo told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on May 29, 2024 at a checkpoint in Owo.

He alleged that the defendant had in his possession a locally made firearm and other dangerous weapons and a bag containing a large quantity of dried weeds suspected to be an Indian hemp plant.

The prosecutor further stated that the defendant, at Kunuorduma, Asokoro Abuja engaged in the sales of Indian hemp and in 2021 at Owo/Ose engaged in the planting and cultivation of the plant.

Iwajomo said the offence contravened Sections 5(1) (b) 3(b) of the Indian Hemp Act LFN 2004 and Sections 3, 27(1)(a) of the Firearm Act Cap F28LFN 2004.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution, through an application, urged the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

The defence counsel prayed for a short adjournment to enable the defendant reply to the application through a counter affidavit.

The Chief Magistrate, Sunday Adedapo, ordered that the defendant should remain in DSS custody.

He adjourned the case till June 19, for a reply and hearing of the application.