A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced a 35-year-old physically challenged woman, Rita Idehen, and six others to various jail terms for offenses bordering on drug possession and trafficking.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), with judgments delivered in July 2025 by Justices Chuka A. Obiozor and J. B. O. Quadiri.
The convicted individuals include Rita Idehen, Risikatu Tijani, Friday Robert, Etimesy Stephen, Salami Philip Timothy, Christopher Tanko, and Henry Bitrus Okoye.
Rita Idehen, from the Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, was convicted under charge number FHC/B/114C/2022. She was found guilty of unlawful possession of 2.5 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1.8 grams of Loud, and 2.2 grams of Swinol. The court sentenced her to 15 years imprisonment with an option of an N3 million fine.
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In a related judgment, 48-year-old Risikatu Tijani, from Osogbo LGA of Osun State, was jailed for 17 years for unlawful possession and dealing in 8.701 kg of Cannabis sativa and 42 grams of methamphetamine. She was also given an option of an N4 million fine.
Fifty-year-old Friday Robert from Owan West LGA of Edo State was convicted for unlawful possession and transportation of 22 kg of Cannabis sativa. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison or an N3 million fine. His motorcycle, used to convey the drugs, was also forfeited to the Federal Government.
Etimesy Stephen, 55, from Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with an option of a N1.5 million fine for cultivating 0.597884 hectares of Cannabis sativa.
Salami Philip Timothy, 35, received a 15-year sentence or an N3 million fine for unlawful possession of multiple illicit drugs, including Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Swinol, Danabol, and codeine-based syrup.
The court also sentenced 28-year-old Christopher Tanko from Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, to 15 years imprisonment or a N5 million fine for possession of cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, Rohypnol, and Tramadol under charge number FHC/B/152C/2024.
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In another judgment, 22-year-old Henry Bitrus Okoye, from Esan South East LGA of Edo State, was sentenced to one year imprisonment or a N1 million fine for unlawful possession of 1.068 kg of Cannabis sativa.
Reacting to the convictions, the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed that the agency secured seven convictions in July—comprising five males and two females—while 113 cases remain pending.
Ofoyeju emphasized that physical disability is not a shield against prosecution for criminal offenses.
“One of the greatest deterrents of crime is the certainty of stern punishment,” he stated. “These convictions have sent a strong warning that you cannot hide under the canopy of being physically challenged to commit strict liability crimes like drug trafficking.”
He reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to pursue and prosecute offenders regardless of status or condition, warning that “stern judgments will undoubtedly help deter future offenders and ensure public safety.”