In a sweeping judgment aimed at curbing the spread of illicit drugs, six individuals have been sentenced to a combined total of 93 years in prison for various drug-related offences in Edo State. The convictions were delivered in separate rulings by Justices Chuka A. Obiozor and J. B. O. Quadir of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City.
The prosecutions were carried out by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse across the region.
Among those convicted is Rita Idehen, a physically challenged woman from Oredo Local Government Area. She was found guilty on two counts related to the unlawful possession and dealing in banned substances. Items recovered from her included:
- 2.5 kg of Cannabis Sativa
- 1.8 grams of Loud (a high-potency cannabis strain)
- 2.2 grams of Swinol (a sedative)
Justice Obiozor sentenced her to 15 years in prison, but with the option of a ₦3 million fine.
Another convict, Risikatu Tijani, was found with 8.7 kg of Cannabis Sativa and 42 grams of methamphetamine. She was handed a 17-year jail term, with the option of a ₦4 million fine.
The remaining four individuals, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were also convicted on varying counts of drug possession and trafficking. Their sentences, when combined with those of Idehen and Tijani, amounted to a cumulative 93 years.
This development comes as part of the NDLEA’s renewed efforts to clamp down on the proliferation of hard drugs in Nigeria. The agency has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those involved in drug crimes face the full weight of the law, regardless of social status or background.
The ruling has been hailed by anti-drug advocates as a significant step in reinforcing the rule of law and deterring others from engaging in narcotics-related offences.
