A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for advertising and offering cannabis sativa for sale on social media.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, by operatives of its Kano Strategic Command after a video of him promoting cannabis for sale went viral online.

Delivering judgement, Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, convicted the defendant and ordered that the prison term take effect from July 14, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NDLEA’s Media and Advocacy Officer in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, described the ruling as a landmark judgement and a strong warning to those using social media to promote or sell illicit drugs.

The Kano State Commander of the NDLEA, CN DY Lawal, said the judgement had strengthened the agency’s resolve to tackle drug-related offences.

“This judgement reinforces our determination to confront drug offenders who brazenly promote illegal substances on public platforms. We will continue to act swiftly on credible intelligence and ensure offenders are brought to justice,” he said.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has asked the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to step aside pending an independent investigation into the death of Mary Habila, who reportedly died at his residence.

The demand was made on Wednesday in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The party said the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death had raised public concerns that required an independent investigation, insisting that only a transparent process would establish the facts and restore public confidence.

The party also demanded a full autopsy and the public release of the investigation findings, arguing that the investigation should be conducted outside the influence of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government.

“Every Nigerian life matters. But when a citizen dies in the home of a serving cabinet minister, the matter immediately transcends private tragedy and becomes a question of public accountability. The only acceptable response in a constitutional democracy is a thorough, transparent and independent investigation that commands public confidence,” ADC said.

The opposition party questioned the circumstances surrounding Habila’s presence at the minister’s residence, saying issues relating to her assignment, the events leading to her death and the outcome of ongoing investigations should be clarified through an independent inquiry.

ADC further alleged that the President Bola Tinubu administration had repeatedly shielded senior government officials whenever allegations emerged against them, claiming that public confidence in accountability had continued to decline.

The party also called on Umahi to step aside pending the outcome of the investigation, maintaining that such a move would allow an impartial inquiry into the matter.

“The least that should be expected is that the Minister, Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation,” the statement added.

The party expressed condolences to Habila’s family, insisting that a transparent investigation is necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

The Nigerian Senate has approved a donation of N50 million to the families of five individuals who lost their lives in the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in the Oriire local government area of Oyo State.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary on Wednesday, describing their deaths as a painful sacrifice in the nation’s fight against insecurity.

Akpabio lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted victims after nearly two months in captivity.

According to him, N10 million would be given to each of the families of the two teachers murdered by the abductors and the three soldiers who died during the rescue operation.

Akpabio stated that the gesture was aimed at providing some support to the bereaved families and recognising the sacrifices made by the deceased in the course of the tragic incident.