Judge Discharges Female Drug Peddler On Health Grounds

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, discharged a female drug peddler, Arigbe Isoken, arraigned before him on compassionate grounds due to her deteriorating health condition.

Justice Osiagor freed Isoken of the one-count charge of unlawful possession of 66 grams of methamphetamine brought against her by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), warning her not to engage in the illegal act in the future.

The anti-narcotic agency had earlier told the judge that the defendant was arrested on May 23, 2025, at Lekki Garden, Phase 2 junction, Ajah, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The agency had further submitted that the offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).

The defendant had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following her plea, the prosecutor, Anthony Yuanyuam, reviewed the facts of the case and also tendered all relevant documents and exhibits.

Yuanyuam then urged the court to convict the defendant in accordance with Section 356(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and based on the evidence presented before it.

Justice Osiagor subsequently convicted Isoken as charged.

After the conviction, the prosecutor requested the final forfeiture of the sum of N534,569.16 found in the convict’s bank accounts, arguing that it was the proceeds of an unlawful act.

The judge granted this application and ordered the forfeiture of the said amount to the federal government of Nigeria.

The defence counsel, Christopher Robert, pleaded for leniency on his client’s behalf, stating that Isoken is a first-time offender who pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, regretted her actions, and promised never to return to crime.

While sentencing the convict, who was reportedly ill and supported by medical reports from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) because of serious health issues such as abdominal problems and an enlarged heart, Justice Osiagor cautioned her against committing similar offences in the future.

He then discharged her on health grounds so to take care of herself.

The judge, however, ordered the forfeiture of N534,569.16 found in Isoken’s bank accounts to the federal government of Nigeria.