Physically challenged woman jailed 15 years for drug trafficking in Edo

A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has jailed a 35-year-old physically challenged woman, Rita Idehen, and six other persons for drug possession and trafficking.

DAILY POST reports that the cases were instituted against the convicts by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The six cases were delivered by Justice Chuka A. Obiozor and Justice J. B. O. Quadiri.

The convicts were sentenced to various jail terms bordering on drug-related crimes in the month of July 2025.

Other convicts include Risikatu Tijani, Friday Robert, Etimesy Stephen, Salami Philip Timothy, Christopher Tanko and Henry Bitrus Okoye.

The physically challenged convict, Rita Idehen who hailed from the Oredo local government area of the state was found guilty on a two-count charge.

Idehen, who was prosecuted on charge number FHC/B/114C/2022, was found guilty of unlawful possession of 2.5kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1.8 grams of Loud 1.8 and 2.2 grams of Swinol.

She was handed a 15-year prison sentence with an option of N3 million fine.

The court also sentenced a 48-year-old, Risikatu Tijani, from Osogbo local government area of Osun State to 17 years imprisonment.

Tijani was convicted for unlawful possession and dealing in illegal substances. She was arrested for being in possession of 8.701 kg of cannabis and 42 grams of methamphetamine.

She was, however, given an option of fine of N4 million.

The court also sentenced a 50- year-old, Friday Robert from Owan West Local Government Area.

Robert, who was charged for unlawful possession and transportation of 22 kilograms of Cannabis sativa was sentenced to 15-years.

He was also given an option of a N3 million fine, while the motorcycle used as a means of conveyance, registered as 371QB Edo, was forfeited to the Federal Government.

The court also jailed Etimesy Stephen, 55, from Ndokwa West local government area of Delta State fir 15 years.

Stephen was convicted under charge number FHC/B/44C/2025 for the cultivation of 0.597884 hectares of Cannabis sativa.

He was given an option of N1.5 million fine.

Another suspect, Salami Philip Timothy, 35, was jailed for 15 years or an option of N3 million fine, for unlawful possession of multiple drugs, including Cannabis sativa, Tramadol, Swinol, Danabol, and codeine-based syrup.

The Federal High court, further jailed a 28-year-old, Christopher Tanko to 15 years, with an option of N5 million fine.

Tanko, who hailed from Kagarko local government area of Kaduna state was convicted for unlawful possession of cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, Rohypnol, and tramadol in charge number FHC/B/152C/2024.

The court further convicted Henry Bitrus Okoye, 22, who hails from Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Okoye was sentenced to one-year imprisonment or an option of N1 million fine for unlawful possession of 1.068 kilograms of Cannabis sativa.

Reacting to the judgements, the
NDLEA Edo State commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said that a total of 15 cases were charged.

Ofoyeju added that seven convictions comprising two females and five males were secured, and 113 cases are pending as of July 31, 2025.

While applauding the convictions, he noted that physical challenge is not an alibi in criminal cases.

He opined that one of the greatest deterrents of crime is the certainty of stern punishment.

“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. Stern judgements will undoubtedly help to deter future offenders and ensure public safety,” he stated.

Physically challenged woman jailed 15 years for drug trafficking in Edo