The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the seven-year prison sentence handed to a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, by the Federal High Court in Kano for advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.

Sowore described the judgment as “jungle justice,” arguing that it reflects deeper flaws within Nigeria’s criminal justice system and calling for an urgent review of the conviction.

The conviction followed the prosecution of Idris by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which announced the judgment in a statement issued by the Media and Advocacy Officer of its Kano Strategic Command, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari.
According to the NDLEA, Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano convicted Idris on July 14, 2026, and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine. The court ordered that the prison term take effect from the date of the judgment.

The agency said Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, after operatives of the Kano Strategic Command, acting on the directive of the State Commander, CN DY Lawal, tracked him through a video circulating on social media in which he allegedly advertised cannabis sativa for sale.

The NDLEA described the judgment as a landmark decision, saying it reinforces the legal consequences of using public platforms to promote illicit drugs.

Reacting to the judgment, Sowore criticised the sentence as disproportionate, insisting that Nigeria’s courts often impose harsher punishments 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 That reflects a class bias and an outdated mindset that must be swept away by a genuine revolutionary future,” he said.

Sowore also argued that cannabis is increasingly being regulated as a legitimate agricultural commodity in several countries, rather than being viewed solely as an illicit substance.

“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 said.

The AAC presidential candidate called for the immediate suspension of the judgment pending the determination of an appeal and urged the Kano State Government to initiate a thorough judicial review of the case.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command, CN DY Lawal, defended the conviction, describing it as a strong warning to individuals involved in the illegal drug trade.

“This judgment reinforces our resolve to confront drug offenders who brazenly promote illegal substances on public platforms. We will continue to act swiftly on credible leads and ensure offenders are brought to justice,” Lawal said.

The NDLEA also appealed to members of the public to support efforts to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse by providing credible information to security agencies to aid enforcement operations.