Tope Ayanwale, a 34-year-old woman, has been sentenced to three calendar years in prison for her involvement in the unlawful possession of various quantities of illicit drugs. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, secured her conviction alongside others for the offence. Ayanwale was found guilty of possessing 1.272 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 2.1 grams of methamphetamine, and 176 grams of tramadol.
Justice B. O. Quadiri, a Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, handed down the sentence on March 24, 2027. The convict was given an option of a ₦10 million fine instead of imprisonment. However, Ayanwale collapsed in the courtroom upon hearing the sentence and required immediate medical attention before being stabilised.
Two other drug traffickers, Etinosa Bazuaye and Godfrey Osabuohien, were also convicted by Honourable Justice Chuka Obiozor for 15 years each on March 24 and 25, respectively. Etinosa was charged with unlawful possession of 13 grams of cocaine, while Godfrey was charged in connection with 15 kilograms of cannabis.
The judiciary's firm stance on drug trafficking is a welcome development, especially in Edo State where the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been working tirelessly to rid the state of illicit drugs. The conviction of Tope Ayanwale and others sends a clear message that the state is hostile territory for drug traffickers. However, the question remains whether this will translate to a significant reduction in the supply of illicit drugs in the state. The NDLEA's commitment to ridding the state of the scourge of illicit drugs is commendable, but it requires sustained effort and collaboration with other stakeholders to achieve tangible results. The public must also be willing to provide useful information to aid the NDLEA's operations.
