Physically Challenged Woman and Six Others Jailed for Total of 93 Years Over Drug Trafficking in Edo

Benin City, Edo State

A Federal High Court in Benin City has sentenced Rita Idehen, a physically challenged woman, and six other individuals to a combined 93 years in prison following convictions for various drug-related offenses.

Convictions & Sentences

The convicts received sentences across separate judgments delivered by Justice Chuka A. Obiozor and Justice J. B. O. Quadiri after being convicted in July 2025:

Rita Idehen (Oredo LGA): 15 years or ₦3 million fine for possessing and distributing 2.5 kg Cannabis Sativa, 1.8 g Loud, and 2.2 g Swinol.
Risikatu Tijani (Osun State): 17 years or ₦4 million fine for 8.701 kg Cannabis and 42 g methamphetamine.
Friday Robert (Owan West, Edo): 15 years plus forfeiture of his motorcycle (Reg. 371QB Edo) or ₦3 million fine.
Etimesy Stephen (Delta State): 15 years or ₦1.5 million fine for cultivating 0.598 hectares of Cannabis.
Salami Philip Timothy (Etsako West, Edo): 15 years or ₦3 million fine for possession of multiple illegal drugs.
Christopher Tanko (Kaduna State): 15 years or ₦5 million fine for possession of cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, Rohypnol, and tramadol.
Henry Bitrus Okoye (Edo State): 1 year or ₦1 million fine for 1.068 kg Cannabis.
In total, the inmates were sentenced to 93 years in prison.

Context & Implications

NDLEA’s Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed that out of 15 cases concluded in July 2025, seven—comprising two women and five men—led to convictions while 113 cases remained pending as of July 31.

He emphasized that a disability is not a valid excuse for committing serious criminal offenses:

“These convictions send a strong message that one cannot hide under the pretext of being physically challenged to commit gross criminal acts like drug trafficking.”