There was mild drama at the Federal High Court in Benin City after a 34-year-old woman, Tope Ayanwale, collapsed moments after being sentenced for drug trafficking.
Ayanwale was convicted and handed a three-year prison sentence, with an option of a ₦10 million fine, by Justice B.O. Quadri.
She was found guilty of unlawful possession of 1.272 kilograms of cannabis, 2.1 grams of methamphetamine, and 176 grams of tramadol.
Shortly after the judgment was delivered, she reportedly collapsed in the courtroom. She was quickly attended to and stabilised before being taken into custody to begin her sentence.
In related rulings, another Federal High Court judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, sentenced two other offenders, Etinosa Bazuaye and Godfrey Osabuohien, to 15 years imprisonment each.
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They were convicted for possessing cocaine and large quantities of cannabis, with options of fines attached to their sentences.
The cases were prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State, following investigations into illegal drug possession.
During sentencing, the court stressed the serious dangers drug trafficking poses to society, noting its connection to crimes such as armed robbery and banditry.
The judge emphasized the need for strict penalties to deter offenders and protect the public.
Reacting to the judgment, the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, praised the court for its firm stance, describing the convictions as a strong warning to drug traffickers.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to intensifying efforts to dismantle drug networks across the state and the country.
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