Sowore condemns seven-year jail term for Kano man over cannabis advert

Sowore condemns seven-year jail term for Kano man over cannabis advert

The 2027 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticised the seven-year prison sentence imposed on a Kano resident for advertising cannabis for sale on social media, describing the judgment as “jungle justice” and calling for an urgent review of the case.

Sowore urged the immediate suspension of the judgment pending an appeal and appealed to the Kano State Government to initiate a judicial review, arguing that the punishment was excessive for what he described as a non-violent offence.

The former presidential candidate made his position known in a statement posted on his verified X account, where he questioned what he called the disproportionate application of justice in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

“I strongly condemn what I consider to be jungle justice against this young man, Ashiru Idris, for merely advertising the sale of cannabis,” Sowore said.

The controversy followed the conviction of Ashiru Idris, a 28-year-old Kano resident who was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine after being found guilty of advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.

The conviction was secured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which said Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, after a video allegedly showing him advertising cannabis for sale circulated online.

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According to the anti-narcotics agency, the prosecution forms part of its ongoing efforts to discourage the use of social media and other digital platforms to promote or market illicit drugs.

The agency described the judgment as a strong warning to individuals who advertise prohibited substances online, stressing that Nigeria’s drug laws prohibit the cultivation, possession, sale, trafficking and promotion of cannabis and other illicit drugs.

Reacting to the judgment, Sowore argued that the case highlights the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

According to him, courts sometimes impose harsher punishments for non-violent offences than for more serious crimes such as violent attacks, corruption and kidnapping.

“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,” he stated.

Sowore said such sentencing patterns raise important questions about fairness, proportionality and the priorities of Nigeria’s justice system.

He further argued that cannabis is no longer treated solely as an illicit substance in many countries, noting that several jurisdictions now regulate its cultivation and use for medical, industrial or commercial purposes under strict legal frameworks.

While acknowledging that every country has the authority to enforce its own laws, he maintained that sentencing someone to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis deserved broader public debate.

The activist therefore called for the immediate suspension of the judgment against Idris pending the determination of an appeal, while urging the Kano State Government to conduct a comprehensive judicial review of the case.

Despite Sowore’s criticism, Nigeria’s existing drug laws continue to classify cannabis as an illegal substance. Under the provisions of the NDLEA Act and other relevant legislation, offences involving the cultivation, possession, trafficking, sale or promotion of cannabis remain punishable by law.

Legal analysts say the case has reignited public debate over whether Nigeria’s sentencing framework adequately balances deterrence with proportionality, particularly in cases involving non-violent drug-related offences.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation that Idris had filed an appeal against the judgment, while the NDLEA has continued to defend the conviction as part of its broader campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.

Sowore condemns seven-year jail term for Kano man over cannabis advert