IPOH, Aug 27 — A wireman escaped a possible life imprisonment after he was acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here today of a charge of allowing a cannabis plant to be cultivated at his home three years ago.
Aszizi Ayub, 37, was cleared of the charge at the close of the prosecution’s case after the court found that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him.
He was initially charged under Section 6B(1)© of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 6B(3) of the same Act, which prohibits the planting or cultivation of specified plants, including poppy, cannabis and coca plants.
The offence carries a mandatory punishment of life imprisonment and whipping of not less than six strokes.
Judge Meor Sulaiman Ahmad Tarmizi, in delivering the decision, said the court had carefully considered the evidence presented by the prosecution, as well as the submissions made by the defence.
“The court finds that the prosecution has failed to prove the case against the accused,” he said.
The judge subsequently ordered the accused to be acquitted and discharged from the charge, bringing the proceedings to an end.
According to the charge, Aszizi was alleged to have allowed a cannabis plant weighing 253.4 grammes to be cultivated at a house in Taman Dato Leow Yan Sip here on July 31, 2023.
The offence allegedly took place at 8.30pm at a house in Persiaran Wira Jaya Timur 36, Taman Dato Leow Yan Sip, here.
He was accused of permitting the plant, which could be used to obtain cannabis, to be planted and cultivated by another person in a black plastic bag.
Aszizi was represented by lawyers Keshvinder Singh, Sukhdave Singh and Renver Singh, while Deputy Public Prosecutor S.S. Pavitra prosecuted.
