A Federal High Court in Benin has sentenced Rita Idehen, a physically challenged woman, to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking.
She’s among several offenders convicted by the NDLEA in Edo, as the agency intensifies its crackdown.
A Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced a 35-year-old woman, Rita Idehen, to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking. Idehen, who is physically challenged, was found guilty of unlawful possession of various drugs, including 2.5kg of cannabis sativa, 1.8g of loud, and 2.2g of swinol. However, the court gave her the option of paying a ₦3 million fine instead of serving the full jail term.
The judgment, delivered by Justice J.B.O. Quadri under charge number FHC/B/114C/2022, is part of ongoing efforts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle drug crimes in Edo State.
According to reports, the NDLEA secured several convictions in July 2025 alone. Among them was Risikatu Tijani, a 48-year-old from Osogbo in Osun State. She received a 17-year sentence or a ₦4 million fine for being caught with 8.701kg of cannabis and 42g of methamphetamine.
Another convict, 50-year-old Friday Robert, was sentenced to 15 years or a ₦3 million fine for transporting 22kg of cannabis. The motorcycle used in the act was seized by the government.
Additional convictions include:
- Etimesy Stephen, 55, got 15 years or a ₦1.5 million fine for cultivating nearly 0.6 hectares of cannabis.
- Salami Philip Timothy, 35, received 15 years or a ₦3 million fine for possession of multiple hard drugs.
- Christopher Tanko, 28, was handed 15 years or a ₦5 million fine after being caught with various substances, including cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, Rohypnol, and tramadol.
- Henry Bitrus Okoye, 22, received a one-year sentence or a ₦1 million fine for having over a kilogram of cannabis.
Speaking on the development, the NDLEA Commander in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, stressed the agency’s commitment to holding offenders accountable.
“Crime must come with consequences. Anyone found guilty will be made to face the law,” he said.
He added that between January and July 2025, the command concluded 15 drug-related cases, with seven resulting in convictions. Over 100 other cases are still in progress across various courts.
