Female Suspect Slumps, Dies After Arraignment In Edo

There was panic at the Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, as a 52-year-old woman, identified simply as Titilayo, slumped and died moments after she was arraigned before the court.

The deceased was reportedly arrested by the Edo State Task Force for allegedly selling a substance suspected to be an illicit drug and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Eyewitnesses at the court alleged that the woman had been in NDLEA custody without adequate medical attention, accusing the agency of negligence in the circumstances leading to her death.

However, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, dismissed the allegations, insisting that there was no indication the deceased was unfit to stand trial.

“It is not true what they are saying. She was arraigned in court. There was no issue that she was not physically fit. She personally walked to the car, got to the court and came down herself. What happened is not something you can start trading blame,” Ofoyeju said.

He explained that the suspect was initially arrested by the state’s task force and later transferred to the NDLEA over allegations of selling a substance known as ‘Loud.’

“What happened was a mistaken identity. When she collapsed, it attracted a crowd and there were other suspects.

“The officers had to secure other accused persons to avoid their dispersion with the crowd. The crowd thought my men were running away. My men were not attacked,” he added.