A suspected female drug peddler simply known as Titilayo who has been in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly collapsed and died during proceedings at a Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State. This caused chaos during the court session on Tuesday, March 31.
The 52-year-old deceased had reportedly been arrested by the Edo State Task Force and handed over to the NDLEA in Edo State about three months ago. According to reports, authorities allegedly held her in custody throughout that period without arraignment.
Sources further claimed that the woman fell ill while in detention and repeatedly requested medical attention, but officials allegedly did not respond to her appeals.
She later collapsed during a court session and was subsequently confirmed dead, sparking outrage and raising concerns over her treatment while in custody.
In a trending video, family members of the deceased were spotted wailing and inconsolable as her body was taken away in an ambulance while her
Courtroom thrown into chaos as a woman reportedly died after collapsing during a court session.
The woman had been arrested by the NDLEA in Edo three months ago and was allegedly held in their custody without arraignment for three months. Reports claim she fell ill in custody… pic.twitter.com/A6wVi9GDqR
— (@AsakyGRN) April 1, 2026
The incident has intensified calls for accountability and proper welfare standards for detainees, as questions continue to mount over the circumstances surrounding her detention and death.
NDLEA denies negligence
Responding to the allegations, the Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, dismissed claims that his officers acted negligently.
He maintained that there was no indication the deceased was unfit to stand trial, insisting she arrived at court on her own without assistance.
“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,” he said.
Ofoyeju clarified that the woman was initially arrested by the Edo State Task Force before being transferred to the NDLEA over allegations of selling “Loud,” a street term for high-grade cannabis.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, he extended condolences to the deceased’s family and stressed that the agency prioritises the health and safety of suspects.
“We have no idea what caused her death unless an autopsy is conducted. She walked into the courtroom by herself,” he added.
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