*Agency Denies Negligence
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A suspected female drug peddler, Mrs. Titilayo Akindele, 52, has died after collapsing at the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday, triggering outrage among her family members, lawyers, and other court attendees.
Mrs. Akindele, who was being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for alleged drug peddling, had been in the custody of the anti-drug agency for close to three months before she was brought to court for arraignment.
The deceased woman was first arraigned on Monday but trial did not proceed after she complained of ill-health.
Sources said the defendant was consequently asked to present a medical report to prove her ill-health but could not do so.
She was then re-arraigned on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Some lawyers who witnessed the incident said the court proceedings continued despite the woman’s critical condition, including being unable to sit or stand.
One of the lawyers, who did not identify himself, claimed that Mrs. Akindele had been battling ill-health while in NDLEA custody, with little or no medical attention.
He stated that moments after her case was mentioned, she suddenly slumped, causing panic among lawyers, court staff, and other litigants present.
According to him, efforts were made to revive her, but she was later confirmed dead.
Another lawyer, who was in court for another matter, said when she drew the attention of one of the anti-drug agency personnel to the deceased’s condition in the court, the unnamed officer was nonchalant.
The female lawyer, who also did not identify herself, added that when the deceased collapsed, the NDLEA operative paid no attention because he believed that the deceased was faking the illness.
“Even when her matter was called and she did not respond, the NDLEA officer was still saying that the woman was pretending,” the lawyer said.
“By the time the NDLEA officer made an effort to lift her, she was already cold, completely dead. The woman’s son went berserk when he discovered that his mother was dead.”
Legal practitioner Leonard Osa Uwagie, who witnessed the incident, said the woman collapsed during the court sitting.
Uwagie alleged that NDLEA officers failed to render immediate assistance and attempted to leave the scene.
Mrs. Akindele was said to have been arrested at her residence on Ewosa Street in the Ogida area of Benin City on January 3, 2026, during a crackdown by Edo State Task Force over alleged involvement in drug trafficking. She was subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.
Her son, Samuel Akindele, said she had been in NDLEA detention for about three months and had repeatedly complained about her deteriorating health.
“She has been complaining about her health. Yesterday, she said she was not feeling fine and had been losing her strength,” he said, alleging that requests for medical attention were ignored.
However, the Commander of the NDLEA in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, denied the allegations of negligence on the part of the anti-drug agency as the cause of the death.
In a statement after the incident on Tuesday, Ofoyeju said there was nothing to suggest Mrs. Akindele was not physically fit to stand trial when she was being taken to the court.
“It is not true what they are saying. She was arraigned and 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 for,” Ofoyeju stated.
“She was arrested by the Edo State Task Force and transferred to the NDLEA. She was arrested for selling Loud (a hard drug).”
Ofoyeju explained that when the deceased collapsed, it attracted a crowd.
“The officers had to secure other accused persons to avoid their dispersion with the crowd,” he added.
Following the incident, the court adjourned all remaining cases for the day in honour of the deceased, while her body was moved to a mortuary.
The death of Mrs. Titilayo Akindele in open court raises serious questions about the treatment of suspects in detention and the adequacy of medical care provided to persons awaiting trial.
The conflicting accounts from lawyers and the NDLEA present two starkly different narratives — one of negligence and ignored pleas for medical attention, and another of a sudden, unexpected collapse of a physically fit individual.
The incident highlights several concerns:
Prolonged Pre-Trial Detention: The deceased was reportedly held for close to three months before arraignment, raising questions about the timeliness of prosecution and the conditions under which suspects are held.
Duty Of Care: Law enforcement agencies have a legal obligation to ensure the health and wellbeing of persons in their custody. The allegations of ignored requests for medical attention, if proven, could constitute a breach of this duty.
Right To Health: Under both Nigerian and international law, detained persons retain the right to adequate medical care. Section 35(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides safeguards for arrested and detained persons.
The case may prompt calls for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Akindele’s death and a review of medical protocols for persons in NDLEA custody.
For the family of the deceased, the tragedy of losing a loved one in such circumstances adds to the trauma of an already difficult situation.
Mrs. Akindele’s body has been deposited at a mortuary pending further arrangements.
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