A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, sentenced a 35-year-old physically challenged woman, Rita Idehen, alongside six others to various prison terms for drug possession and trafficking offences. The cases were prosecuted by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the judgments delivered in July 2025 by Justice Chuka A. Obiozor and Justice J. B. O. Quadiri.
Rita Idehen, from Oredo local government area, was convicted on two counts for unlawful possession of 2.5 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1.8 grams of Loud, and 2.2 grams of Swinol. She was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment or an option to pay a N3 million fine.
Other convicts and their sentences include:
- Risikatu Tijani (48 years) from Osogbo, Osun State, sentenced to 17 years or N4 million fine for possession of 8.701 kg Cannabis and 42 grams methamphetamine.
- Friday Robert (50 years) from Owan West, Edo State, sentenced to 15 years or N3 million fine for transporting 22 kg Cannabis; his motorcycle was forfeited to the Federal Government.
- Etimesy Stephen (55 years) from Ndokwa West, Delta State, sentenced to 15 years or N1.5 million fine for cultivating 0.597 hectares Cannabis.
- Salami Philip Timothy (35 years) from Etsako West, Edo State, sentenced to 15 years or N3 million fine for multiple drug possession including Cannabis, Tramadol, Swinol, Danabol, and codeine syrup.
- Christopher Tanko (28 years) from Kagarko, Kaduna State, sentenced to 15 years or N5 million fine for possession of Cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, Rohypnol, and tramadol.
- Henry Bitrus Okoye (22 years), from Esan South East, Edo State, received a one-year jail term or N1 million fine for possession of 1.068 kg Cannabis.
NDLEA Edo State commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, praised the judiciary for the strict punishments, underscoring that physical disability is no excuse for criminal acts such as drug trafficking. He emphasized that stern judgments serve as deterrents and reinforce public safety, warning that offenders will face consequences regardless of their physical condition.
These convictions were part of a total of 15 cases concluded by NDLEA in July 2025, with 113 cases still pending prosecution.