17 Edo drug traffickers bag 84 years jail

The Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced 17 drug traffickers to 84 years’ imprisonment in connection with various drug offences, with an option of N27.25m fine.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who stated that the convictions took place in November.

He stated that the convicts were charged in connection with various drug offences, including unlawful possession, dealing, and cultivation of controlled substances, including Cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, cocaine, tramadol, diazepam, danabol, and swinol tablets.

Ofoyeju said that Honourable Justice Prof. Chuka Obiozo passed four of the sentences, while 13 were passed by Hon. Justice B. O. Quadri.

He noted that three of the convicts are females: Jacob Beauty, 51 years; Favour Osayande, 23 years; and Eko Gift, 38 years, while 14 are males. They are Aliyu Abubakar, 23 years; Peter Egboko, 25 years; Justin John, 15 years; Shamsu Abdullahi, 30 years; Osaro Prosper, 26 years; Ezekiel Bishara Shedrack, 24 years; and Ukpono Edem Etim, 28 years.

Others are Ekpeakena Mike, 41 years; Prosper Titus, 20 years; Kenneth Daniel, 28 years; Samuel Lawrence, 25 years; Ogunshola Dada, 34 years; Osakpolor Edosomwan, 27 years; and Joshua Paul, 21 years.

He said, “Seventeen drug traffickers were sentenced to 84 years imprisonment in connection with various drug offences, with an option of N27.25m fine.

“Four of the convicts got 15 years’ imprisonment each, but were given an option of a fine. They are Samuel Lawrence, who got a fine of N3m; Ekpeakena Mike, N750,000 fine; Favour Osayande, N6m fine; and Eko Gift, N3m fine.

“Jacob Dada was sentenced on November 10, 2025, to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour on each of the two counts of unlawful possession of Cannabis Sativa (665 grams) and methamphetamine (7 grams). The sentences are to run consecutively, with an option of a N5 million fine per count.

“On November 11, 2025, Ukpono Edem Etim was sentenced to five years in prison with hard labour on each of four counts involving Cannabis Sativa (25.322 kgs), cocaine 10 grams, methamphetamine (80 grams), and Danabol (14.6 grams). The custodial sentences will run concurrently, while fines of N5 million per count will be cumulative.”

Besides, he stated further, “Another major conviction was secured against Samuel Lawrence on November 12, 2025, who received 15 years imprisonment or an option to pay a fine of N3 million for three counts involving Cannabis sativa (312 grams), Tramadol capsules (7 grams), and Swinol tablets (3 grams).

“Ezekiel Bishara Shedrack and Ogunshola Dada were among those sentenced on November 17, 2025. Shedrack received a one-year imprisonment or a fine of 200,000 naira for possession of 463 grams of Cannabis sativa, while Ogunshola was sentenced to two years or a 300,000 naira fine for possession of 344 grams of Cannabis sativa and 3 grams of methamphetamine.”

The statement also added that the court convicted Joshua Paul and Osaro Prosper on November 18, 2025, with both receiving two-year sentences or options of 250,000 naira fines each for unlawful possession of Cannabis sativa. Also, Aliyu Abubakar was convicted on November 19, 2025, for unlawful possession and dealing with cannabis sativa (40 grams), receiving a one-year jail term or an option of a N100,000 fine.

“The same day, the trio Peter Egboko, Justin John, and Shamsu Abdullahi were convicted for unlawful possession and cultivation of cannabis sativa involving 59 kilograms and over two hectares of cannabis farm. They were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 each on both counts.

“Prosper Titus, caught with 4 grams of cannabis sativa, got 1 year or a 100,000 naira fine on November 24, 2025. Ekpeakena Mike, found with 10.5 kgs of cannabis sativa, got 15 years or a N750,000 fine. Favour Osayande: 15 years or an N6m fine for six counts involving multiple drugs, including cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Eko Gift also got 15 years or a 3 million naira fine for possession of 1.113 kgs of cannabis sativa.

Ofoyeju assured the state that the NDLEA would continue to intensify its operations against narcotics trafficking and consumption, noting that efforts would be sustained to ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law, thereby safeguarding public health and security.

While reaffirming its commitment to combating drug trafficking and unlawful possession within the state, Ofoyeju said that all 17 convictions were recorded in November.