Human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the seven-year prison sentence imposed on a Kano man for advertising cannabis on social media, describing the judgment as excessive and calling for a review of the case.
In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Sowore urged that the conviction of Ashiru Idris be suspended pending the outcome of an appeal. He also appealed to the Kano State Government to examine the judgment through a judicial review.
“I strongly condemn what I consider to be jungle justice against this young man, Ashiru Idris, by a Kano State High Court judge for merely advertising the sale of cannabis,” he said.
According to Sowore, the case highlights the need to reform Nigeria’s justice system, arguing that courts sometimes impose stiffer penalties for non-violent offences than for more serious crimes.
“This is why I have consistently argued that Nigeria’s justice system requires urgent reform. Too often, our courts appear to react more harshly to non-violent offences than to serious crimes.
“That reflects a class bias and an outdated mindset that must be swept away by a genuine revolutionary future,” he stated.
Sowore also pointed out that cannabis has become a regulated commercial crop in several countries, arguing that sentencing someone to seven years in prison for advertising it raises concerns about fairness in the administration of justice.
“Cannabis is no longer viewed solely as an illicit drug in many parts of the world. It is now cultivated and regulated as a legitimate cash crop in numerous jurisdictions.
“Sentencing someone to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis speaks to proportionality and the priorities of our criminal justice system,” he added.
He further demanded “the immediate suspension of the judgment against Ashiru Idris pending appeal and a thorough judicial review of this case by the Kano State Government.”
Idris was convicted by Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano on July 14 and sentenced to seven years in prison without the option of a fine after being found guilty of advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said the 28-year-old was arrested in April after a video allegedly showing him promoting cannabis online went viral. The agency maintained that the judgment should discourage the public from using social media to promote illegal drugs.