The Yendi Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Ebenezer Kweku Ansah, has sentenced Abdul Rahaman Abdulai, a 41-year-old musician from Saboba, to 20 years in prison for possessing restricted drugs without lawful authority.
Abdulai was arrested on August 6, 2025, after residents in Saboba reported concerns about illicit drug use in the area.
A search of his room yielded 1 pack of tramadol 225mg and 12 sachets of tramadol 120mg, as well as a parcel of leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
He was charged with three counts of possession of restricted drugs, contrary to Section 110(H) of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act 2013 (Act 857).
Sentence Breakdown
The court convicted Abdulai on his own plea and sentenced him to: Count 1: 2 years imprisonment (120,000 penalty units), Count 2: 15 years imprisonment (8,000 penalty units) and Count 3: 5 years imprisonment (500 penalty units).
The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a total of 20 years imprisonment. Abdulai was unable to pay the GHC 102,000 fine.
Abdulai’s jail term may be increased if the suspected Indian hemp is confirmed to be positive.
According to the court’s ruling, possession of controlled substances can carry varying penalties depending on the type and quantity of the drug involved.
