Chaos erupted at the Federal High Court when a 52-year-old defendant, Mrs Titilayo Akindele, collapsed and died during proceedings.
She had been in detention for about three months over a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Eyewitnesses reported that despite her visibly deteriorating health, the court continued with her arraignment.
She slumped shortly after her case was called, and efforts to revive her failed due to the absence of immediate medical facilities on site.
The incident prompted the court to adjourn all remaining cases for the day, and her body was moved to a mortuary.
The Edo State Command of the NDLEA has yet to release an official statement, though an internal investigation is reportedly underway.
The event has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about detainees’ access to medical care and the handling of vulnerable individuals in court.
