A suspected drug dealer, Titilayo Akindele, who had been in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, has died at the Benin Division of the Federal High Court. 

Ms Akindele, 52, reportedly slumped and died on Tuesday after she was dragged before the court by the officers of the Anti-narcotic agency, triggering outrage among her family members, lawyers and other court attendees.

She was said to have been arrested at her residence on Ewosa Street in the Ogida area of Benin City on January 3, 2026, during a crackdown by Edo State Task Force over alleged involvement in drug trafficking. She was subsequently handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.

However, she was dragged before the court by the NDLEA on Tuesday and appeared critically ill, according to family members, who spoke to ITV News. 

Her son, Samuel Akindele, said she had been in NDLEA detention for about three months and had repeatedly complained about her deteriorating health.

“She has been complaining about her health. Yesterday, she said she was not feeling fine and had been losing her strength,” he said, alleging that requests for medical attention were ignored.

A legal practitioner, Leonard Osa Uwagie, who witnessed the incident, said the woman collapsed during the court sitting.

Mr Uwagie alleged that NDLEA officers failed to render immediate assistance and attempted to leave the scene.

However, NDLEA commander in Edo, Mitchell Ofoyeju, denied claims that the deceased was unfit to stand trial.

“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. What happened is not something you can start trading blame for.

“She was arrested by the Edo State Task Force and transferred to the NDLEA. She was arrested for selling Loud. When she collapsed, it attracted a crowd, and there were other suspects. The officers had to secure other accused persons to avoid their dispersion with the crowd,” Mr Ofoyeju told journalists.