The African Action Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Omoyele Sowore, has faulted the seven-year prison sentence imposed on a Kano resident for advertising cannabis on social media, describing the ruling as “jungle justice.”
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, Sowore called for the immediate suspension of the judgment against Ashiru Idris pending the outcome of an appeal. He also appealed to the Kano State Government to initiate a judicial review of the case.
“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.
Sowore maintained that Nigeria’s justice system needs far-reaching reforms, arguing that non-violent offences often attract stiffer punishments than 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“That reflects a class bias and an outdated mindset that must be swept away by a genuine revolutionary future,” Sowore stated.
He further noted that many countries now regulate cannabis cultivation as a legitimate economic activity, saying the punishment handed to Idris raises concerns about fairness and the priorities of the country’s criminal justice system.
“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.
Reiterating his position, Sowore called for “the immediate suspension of the judgment against Ashiru Idris pending appeal and a thorough judicial review of this case by the Kano State Government.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano sentenced the 28-year-old on July 14 to seven years in prison without the option of a fine after finding him guilty of advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, after a video showing him promoting cannabis for sale surfaced online.
The agency said the conviction should serve as a deterrent to those using public platforms to advertise illicit drugs.
