A 34-year-old convict, Tope Ayanwale, on Tuesday fainted shortly after a Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State, sentenced her to three years in prison for drug-related offences.
The trial judge, Justice B. Quadiri, handed down the sentence with an option of a N10m fine in Charge No. FHC/B/21c/2026.
Eyewitnesses said the defendant suddenly lost consciousness moments after the verdict was pronounced, prompting immediate intervention.
She was revived at the scene before being taken into custody to begin serving her jail term.
Ayanwale had been found guilty of possessing 1.272 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 2.1 grams of methamphetamine, and 176 grams of tramadol.
Meanwhile, the court also sentenced two other drug offenders, Etinosa Bazuaye, 43, and Godfrey Osabuohien, 34, to 15 years’ imprisonment each on March 25.
Bazuaye, who was prosecuted for unlawful possession of 13 grams of cocaine under Charge No. FHC/B/143c/2025, was given the option of a N6m fine. Osabuohien, charged with possession of 15 kilograms of cannabis under Charge No. FHC/B/86c/2025, received an option of a N3m fine.
The convictions were secured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Federal High Court in Benin City.
In his remarks, Justice Quadiri underscored the serious threat posed by drug trafficking, noting its connection to crimes such as armed robbery and banditry.
He stressed that tough penalties were necessary to curb the menace and safeguard society.
Reacting, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, lauded the judiciary for its decisive action against drug offenders.
He said the outcomes reflected the agency’s renewed enforcement drive under its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), aimed at dismantling drug networks and ensuring diligent prosecution.
Ofoyeju added that the command would sustain its offensive against illicit drug activities and called on members of the public to support its operations with credible intelligence.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to eliminating drug abuse and trafficking, noting that several convictions had been recorded and cannabis farms destroyed across the state in recent times.
