By Mick Oseji, Asaba
Human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, has called for an urgent investigation into the alleged death of a female suspect in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Edo State, warning that the incident reflects a dangerous pattern of unlawful detention and disregard for detainees’ health.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Temokun described the death as “a national alarm” and accused the anti-drug agency of normalising prolonged detention without arraignment.
“We have received with deep shock and grave concern the tragic death of a female suspect in the custody of the NDLEA, Edo State Command, who reportedly collapsed and died at the Federal High Court, Benin City, during her arraignment,” he said.
According to him, the woman was arrested in January 2026 and kept in custody for about three months without being charged to court, despite reportedly requesting medical attention.
“The facts as reported are disturbing. The woman was arrested in January 2026 and kept in custody for about three months without arraignment, despite allegedly requesting medical attention.
She was only brought to court this week, where she collapsed and died while awaiting her turn,” Temokun stated.
He described the incident as a systemic failure, stressing that it was not an isolated case.
“This is not just unfortunate. It is a serious indictment of a system that is increasingly normalising unlawful detention, disregard for human dignity, and promoting impunity.
“What happened in Edo State is not a one-off occurrence. It reflects a growing and dangerous pattern,” he said.
The lawyer cited another case involving Julius Ekujumi and Dupe Ekujumi in Ondo State, alleging prolonged detention without trial.
“Mrs Dupe Ekujumi was arrested on December 10, 2025, and kept in custody for months without being charged to court or granted administrative bail, despite repeated applications,” he said.
Temokun added that the agency only arraigned the couple after a fundamental rights enforcement action was filed at the Federal High Court, Akure.
“It was only after we filed a fundamental rights enforcement action that the NDLEA hurriedly arraigned her alongside her husband. Even then, the arraignment only took place on March 2, 2026, after prolonged and unjustifiable detention,” he stated.
He noted that detaining suspects for months without arraignment violates constitutional provisions.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is clear. Every citizen is entitled to personal liberty, prompt arraignment before a competent court, and a fair hearing within a reasonable time,” he said, stressing that “Detaining citizens for months without charge is an attack on the Constitution and the rule of law. It is illegal. It is an abuse of power.”
Temokun warned that the Edo case may reflect a broader pattern of alleged abuse.
“The incident in Edo is just one reported case, representing thousands of unreported instances of the normalisation of human suffering within the system,” he said.
He, therefore, called on the NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, to order a transparent investigation and sanction officers found culpable.
“We call on the Chairman to order a full and transparent investigation into the death of the woman in NDLEA custody in Edo State,” he said, adding that the agency should also “identify and sanction the heads of commands in Edo and Ondo states, as well as all officers responsible for these prolonged illegal detentions and failure to provide medical care.”
Temokun further urged the agency to issue nationwide directives prohibiting detention beyond constitutional limits and ensure strict compliance with Sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution.
“What happened in Edo is a tragedy. What is happening in Ondo is also a warning. If urgent steps are not taken, more lives may be lost,” he warned. “No agency is above the law, and no Nigerian life should be treated as expendable.”
