Suspected Drug Seller Collapses, Dies Moments After Arraignment in Edo

Global Mirror News has gathered that a 52-year-old woman identified as Titilayo died shortly after she was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Benin City on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The woman reportedly slumped just minutes after appearing in court, throwing the premises into confusion.

According to reports, Titilayo was first arrested by the Edo State Task Force before being handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for prosecution over allegations that she was selling a substance believed to be a hard drug.

Sources at the court told Global Mirror News that the deceased appeared weak and unwell before the arraignment. Some witnesses accused the Agency of negligence, alleging that she should not have been taken to court in her condition.

However, the Edo State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, dismissed the allegations and insisted that the woman showed no visible signs of illness before the hearing.

“It is not true what they are saying. She was physically fit and walked into the vehicle herself, got to the court and came down without assistance,” Ofoyeju said.

He explained that the suspect had been transferred to the agency after her arrest by the Edo State Task Force for allegedly selling “Loud,” a street name for a potent variety of cannabis.

Ofoyeju further stated that confusion broke out after the woman collapsed, as there were other suspects at the court premises and officers had to quickly secure them.

According to him, some members of the crowd wrongly believed the officers were trying to flee the scene.

“This is unfortunate. We sympathise with her family. We want every suspect to remain healthy and complete their trial,” he added.

The NDLEA commander said the exact cause of death remains unknown and noted that only an autopsy can determine what led to the woman’s sudden collapse.