Samuel Akindele, son of Titilayo Funke Akindele, a 52-year-old Ondo woman who died at the Edo State High Court during proceedings over alleged drug offences, speaks with DANIEL AYANTOYE about her arrest, the circumstances of her death, and his ongoing efforts to secure justice
What kind of woman was your mother, and what was life at home like before her tragic passing?
I live in Oluku, while my mother stayed in the Egosa area of Edo State. My father, who had been supporting us, fell ill and passed away in 2017 when we were living in Ondo State. It was my mother later who moved us to Benin.
She was from Ifon, while my father was from Iju in Ondo State. She had five children, including me, but at the time of her passing, she was living alone with my youngest sibling, who is about 10 years old, while I am 24.
What jobs do you and your siblings do?
We don’t have specific jobs. We hustle daily. Life has been tough, but like my mother, we believe one day things will get better.
What led to her arrest?
She was arrested around the second or third week of January, accused of being in possession of Indian hemp. My mother didn’t have a formal job; she was simply trying to survive while caring for my youngest sibling. I believe she may have turned to selling it because she had no other means of support. She didn’t even have a shop.
Where were you when she was arrested?
I was in Benin, but not at the place of arrest. I heard about it the next day and went to the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. We tried to negotiate her bail, but they demanded N5m. I told them we didn’t have that kind of money. If we did, would this have happened?
It was said she was sick. Can you explain?
Yes. She told them she wasn’t feeling well while in custody, and they eventually took her for a check-up, but it was too late by then. We never saw the medical report. On the day of the court sitting, the judge asked for a doctor’s report, but the NDLEA lawyer claimed they had forgotten in the office. The judge instructed them to bring it the following day.
The next day, my mum’s condition had become critical. She told the NDLEA officers that she was not fit enough to appear in court, but they forced her into their van. I was there that day and begged them to let her stay behind, but they ignored me. I also appealed for her release so she could receive treatment, but they refused. After forcibly taking her to court, she collapsed and later died there. NDLEA officers even accused her of pretending, despite the fact that she had been dead for over an hour.
Were you aware that she was taken for a medical check-up?
No, and when we eventually found out, they did not allow us to see the report. One officer noticed her condition but said he did not have the power to help. Their commander refused to authorise her release. Another woman arrested with her was granted bail after paying over N2m. I used to visit the NDLEA office, which felt more like a company than a detention facility. I saw a lot during those visits.
Did you offer to pay her bail?
We offered N500,000, but they said it was not enough. They later demanded N2m. Initially, they had asked for N5m before reducing it to N3m.
There was controversy over the corpse in a viral video. What happened?
I am the one seen in the white cloth in the video. After the NDLEA confirmed her death, they tried to leave with her corpse, claiming they had handed it over to us. While she was still alive, we had begged them to release her for treatment, but they refused. Lawyers and other sympathisers had to intervene before her body was eventually evacuated to the mortuary.
What did the judge do after she died?
The court dispersed when it became clear that she had died. Everyone ran out, and I do not know when the judge left. It was a very painful scene.
What do you want the government to do?
I need support from Nigerians to help me pursue justice for my mother. Through my lawyer, we have written a petition, but nothing concrete has happened.
Has the NDLEA contacted you since the incident?
No. They only transported her corpse to the mortuary. A female NDLEA officer stood by while my mother died and did nothing. They kept her in custody for about three months before bringing her to court. Government work must be carried out with humanity, with the understanding that officers are also human beings.
How are you coping since her death?
It has been extremely difficult. My father is dead, and now my mother is gone. These people have destroyed my life. Life has never been easy, and situations like this can push people toward crime.
What do you want the government to do for you?
I am calling on the government to ensure justice. We are not criminals, and we need answers. I do not want to take the law into my own hands. If nothing is done, more people may die, and others could be pushed into criminality.
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