This is an appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos. The facts of the case are that the Appellant was arraigned and tried on a one-count charge of dealing in Cannabis Sativa (otherwise known as Marijuana), a narcotic drug, contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 L.F.N 2004. The case of the Respondent as prosecution at trial was that on the 15th day of September, 2014, the Appellant was arrested in Agege area of Lagos State with 200 kilograms of cannabis sativa. That on the same day, the Appellant made an extrajudicial statement in Yoruba language which was interpreted into English language to officers of the NDLEA. The Appellant who was not represented by a legal practitioner pleaded guilty to the sole count and upon the close of trial, the Appellant was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Hon. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State. Dissatisfied with the decision of the Federal High Court, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal vide a notice of appeal filed on 13th March, 2017. The Appellant later filed an amended notice of appeal on 16th May, 2017 and same was deemed properly filed and served on 7th December, 2017. Upon hearing the appeal, the Court of Appeal in its unanimous decision delivered on the 30th January, 2018 dismissed the appeal and the judgment of the Federal High Court convicting and sentencing the Appellant to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour was affirmed. Further dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court.

ADAMU JAURO, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment)

On the whole, the Court found no merit in the appeal and accordingly dismissed same.

CHIJIOKE O.P. EMEKA, ESQ . For Appellant(s) FEMI AMOS OLORUNTOBA, ESQ . For Respondent(s)

CRIMINAL TRIAL - ARRAIGNMENT - Validity of arraignment and plea of guilt by an accused person in the absence of an interpreter during a criminal trial

CRIMINAL TRIAL – ARRAIGNMENT – Validity of arraignment and plea of guilt by an accused person in the absence of an interpreter during a criminal trial

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CRIMINAL TRIAL – ARRAIGNMENT – Validity of arraignment and plea of guilt by an accused person in the absence of an interpreter during a criminal trial

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