The Edo State chapter of the Take It Back Movement (TIB Edo) has strongly condemned the death of a woman, Titilayo Akindele, who reportedly died after collapsing in court while in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command.
In a statement issued by the TIB Edo State Coordinator, Comrade Clinton Onobumhe, the movement accused the agency of negligence and inhumane treatment that led to the woman’s death.
According to the statement, Akindele was reportedly arrested in the third week of January 2026 in Benin City over alleged possession of a hard drug at her residence on Evbosa Street in the Ogida area. She was said to have been arrested through information provided by a church member identified as IK.
TIB Edo alleged that the deceased remained in NDLEA custody for about three months without being arraigned in court. During that period, family members claimed she repeatedly complained of deteriorating health and requested medical attention which, according to them, was not provided. The woman reportedly made her first appearance in court on Monday last week. Witnesses said she appeared weak and complained about her worsening condition during the proceedings.
According to eyewitness accounts cited in the statement, Akindele was brought back to court the following day, Tuesday, with two NDLEA officers reportedly supporting her as she could barely walk. While waiting in line for her case to be called, she suddenly collapsed.
Lawyers present in the courtroom reportedly raised an alarm as the woman was said to have stopped breathing. The incident caused confusion in the courtroom as family members, legal practitioners and members of the public reacted in shock.
Among the lawyers who reportedly spoke on the matter were Barristers Osa Uwadia and Douglas Ogbankwa, who questioned why the woman had allegedly been held in custody for several months without arraignment. They also raised concerns about the treatment of suspects in detention and stressed that accused persons are entitled to bail or timely arraignment.
Samuel Akinshola, said to be the deceased’s son, alleged that the family had offered ₦500,000 for bail but that NDLEA officials rejected the offer, insisting the amount was insufficient.
Another family member, Adebayo Bashiru, also told journalists that Akindele had repeatedly complained of ill health during her detention.
An eyewitness further alleged that the deceased had complained a day before her death that she was becoming weak and feared she might die, but her concerns were reportedly ignored. Barrister Leonard Osa Uwagie, who was said to have witnessed the incident, also alleged that NDLEA officials left the courtroom shortly after the collapse.
Media practitioners, including Festus Alenkhe of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Jola Adeojo of ITV News, were reported to have covered the incident.
According to TIB Edo, junior officers within the NDLEA command allegedly confirmed that the deceased had repeatedly complained of illness during her detention but was not taken for medical treatment.
The body was later reportedly taken away by NDLEA operatives with an ambulance from the Central Hospital Benin and deposited in a mortuary after a video of the incident circulated on social media.
TIB Edo described the development as “barbaric and inhumane,” stating that such treatment reflects a broader pattern of prolonged detention without arraignment.
The chapter also called on the leadership of the NDLEA, particularly its chairman, Mohammed Buba Marwa, to investigate the incident and ensure accountability.
Furthermore, the movement demand that the federal government, the Edo State Government, and the Edo State House of Assembly must launch an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
The statement also criticized the silence of the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, stating that the state government had yet to publicly address the incident.
TIB Edo warned that failure by authorities to investigate the matter and ensure justice for the deceased could lead to sustained civic actions by concerned citizens and civil society groups.
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