“You can’t hide behind disability” – Court jails physically challenged woman, others

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Rita Idehen, a physically disabled lady, and six other people were given varying jail sentences by an Edo State High Court in Benin for offenses involving drug possession and trafficking.

In July 2025, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) Edo State Command obtained the convictions.

Justice Chuka A. Obiozor delivered six of the decisions in separate judgments, while Justice J. B. O. Quadiri delivered one.

According to Mitchell Ofoyeju, the Edo State Commander for the NDLEA, 15 cases were resolved throughout the month, and he confirmed the convictions.

As of July 31, 2025, seven of these—two women and five men—were successfully convicted, while 113 cases are still pending.

Ofoyeju responded to the incident by praising the judiciary for the rulings and stating that the fines are a clear deterrent to potential criminals.

“These convictions have sent a strong warning that you cannot hide under the canopy of being physically challenged to commit strict liability criminal offences like drug trafficking. Those who commit crime under any guise should prepare to face the consequences,” he said.

“Stern judgments will undoubtedly help to deter future offenders and ensure public safety,” he added, highlighting the continuing crackdown led by Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa.

Idehen, a 35-year-old native of Edo State’s Oredo local government area, was one of those found guilty.

Idehen was found guilty on two counts of unlawful possession and dealing in illegal substances, including 2.5 kilos of Cannabis Sativa, 1.8 grams of Loud, and 2.2 grams of Swinol. He was arraigned under case number FHC/B/114C/2022.

She received a sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine option of ₦3 million.

In a different case, Risikatu Tijani, who lived in Osun State’s Osogbo local government area, was charged with FHC/B/94C/2024.

She was found in possession of 42 grams of methamphetamine and 8.701 kg of cannabis sativa. She was sentenced to 17 years in prison for illegal possession and trafficking, with the possibility of a fine of ₦4 million.

In case FHC/B/187C/2022, Friday Robert, a citizen of Edo State’s Owan West local government area, was condemned as another prisoner.

Twenty-two kilograms of cannabis sativa were found in his possession. In addition to giving him a 15-year prison sentence, the court mandated that the Federal Government lose the motorcycle used in the conveyance, which had the registration number 371QB Edo. He can also choose to pay a fine of ₦3 million.

Etimesy Stephen, a different prisoner from Delta State’s Ndokwa West local government area, was found guilty of growing 0.597884 hectares of Cannabis Sativa under charge number FHC/B/44C/2025.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with a fine option of ₦1.5 million.

Salami Philip Timothy, a resident of Edo State’s Etsako West local government area, was found guilty of charge number FHC/B/18C/2024.

He was discovered in illegal possession of several substances, including codeine-based syrup, Danabol, Swinol, Tramadol, and Cannabis Sativa. He was given a 15-year term or a ₦3 million fine as an option.

Christopher Tanko, a resident of Kagarko local government area in Kaduna State, was also found guilty of unlawfully possessing cannabis sativa, cocaine, methamphetamine, rohypnol, and tramadol under FHC/B/152C/2024.

He was given a 15-year prison term by the court, with a ₦5 million fine as an alternative.

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