The National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency on Friday said controversial Nigerian actress, Tonto Dikeh,
risks a minimum of 15 years in jail for encouraging the consumption of
hemp.
Dikeh had on Friday posted photographs of a wrap of hemp and grains of the weed formed into the letters, ‘Happy birthday POKO.’
She also posted a photograph of herself and added the inscription, ‘Mi smoke ganja mi smoke weed while my hatez smoke ma gossip.’
Her picture is a close-up of her face that seemed to depict her in a high state.
When Saturday PUNCH contacted NDLEA for comments, its spokesman, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the matter would be investigated.
He said the matter had been referred to the appropriate department of the agency.
Ofoyeju said, “Our attention has been
drawn to the post quite frankly and I can tell you that action will be
taken on it. The law is clear and NDLEA has been very clear on the
issue. No one is permitted to sell, use, cultivate or encourage the use
of Indian hemp in Nigeria. The weed is one of the banned narcotics in
the country.
“NDLEA Act Section 14 (b) states that
any person who conspires with, aids, abets, counsels, attempts to
commit or is an accessory to any act or offence referred to in this act
shall be guilty of an offence under this act and liable on conviction
to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than 15 years and
not exceeding 25 years.
“Investigation has not started as of
now but definitely, a step has to be taken on the matter. Ignorance of
the law is not an excuse; so, it is obvious that the actress stands the
risk of 15 years jail term. The appropriate department is meeting on
the issue for necessary action.”
The NDLEA spokesman, however, declined
to give any hint on particular steps the agency would take in its
investigation, citing reasons bearing on ethics.
Dikeh’s post has expectedly drawn mixed
reactions from readers, with many of them voicing concern for the way
she is living her life.
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