African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the seven-year prison sentence imposed on a Kano resident for advertising cannabis for sale on social media, describing the ruling as “jungle justice.”
In a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, Sowore urged that the conviction of Ashiru Idris be suspended pending the outcome of an appeal. He also called on the Kano State Government to review the judgment.
“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 argued that Nigeria’s criminal justice system urgently needs reform, saying courts often punish non-violent offences more severely 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“That reflects a class bias and an outdated mindset that must be swept away by a genuine revolutionary future,” Sowore stated.
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He further noted that cannabis is now legally cultivated and regulated as a commercial crop in several countries, suggesting that the punishment imposed on Idris raises concerns about fairness and proportionality.
“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.”
Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kano had on July 14 sentenced the 28-year-old to seven years in prison without the option of a fine after finding him guilty of advertising cannabis sativa for sale on social media.
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, after a video showing him promoting cannabis for sale surfaced online.
The agency said the court’s decision should serve as a deterrent to individuals using public platforms to advertise illicit drugs.