A Mother’s Tragic Story and a Son’s Fight for Justice
Samuel Akindele, the son of Titilayo Funke Akindele, a 52-year-old woman from Ondo State who passed away during a court hearing related to alleged drug offenses, has shared his account of his mother’s life, her arrest, and the circumstances surrounding her death. He also discusses his ongoing efforts to seek justice for her.
The Life of a Family Member
Samuel lives in Oluku, while his mother resided in the Egosa area of Edo State. His father, who had been supporting the family, fell ill and died in 2017 when they were living in Ondo State. After his father’s passing, his mother moved the family to Benin. She came from Ifon, while his father was from Iju in Ondo State. She had five children, including Samuel, but at the time of her death, she was living alone with her youngest sibling, who is around 10 years old, while Samuel is 24.
Struggles of Daily Survival
Samuel and his siblings do not have formal jobs. They rely on daily hustles to make ends meet. Life has been challenging, but like their mother, they believe that better days are ahead.
The Arrest and Circumstances
Samuel’s mother was arrested in the second or third week of January, accused of possessing Indian hemp. She did not have a formal job; she was simply trying to survive while taking care of her youngest sibling. He believes she may have turned to selling it as a means of support, as she did not have a shop.
The Arrest Experience
At the time of her arrest, Samuel was in Benin, not at the location of the arrest. He found out the next day and went to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) office to negotiate her bail. They demanded N5 million, which the family could not afford. Samuel questioned why they needed such a large sum if they had the money.
Health Issues and Neglect
Samuel confirmed that his mother was unwell during her custody. She was taken for a check-up, but it was too late. The family never saw the medical report. On the day of the court session, the judge asked for a doctor’s report, but the NDLEA lawyer claimed they had forgotten it. The judge ordered them to bring it the following day.
The next day, his mother’s condition worsened. She told the NDLEA officers she was not fit enough to appear in court, but they forced her into their van. Samuel was present and begged them to let her stay behind, but they ignored him. He also appealed for her release so she could receive treatment, but they refused. After being taken to court, she collapsed and later died there. The NDLEA officers even accused her of pretending, despite her having been dead for over an hour.
Medical Check-Up and Lack of Transparency
Samuel was unaware that his mother was taken for a medical check-up. When they eventually found out, they were not allowed to see the report. One officer noticed her condition but said he lacked the authority to help. Their commander refused to authorize her release. Another woman arrested with her was granted bail after paying over N2 million. Samuel often visited the NDLEA office, which felt more like a company than a detention facility. He witnessed many things during those visits.
Attempts to Pay Bail
Samuel offered N500,000 for his mother’s bail, but they said it was insufficient. They later increased the demand to N2 million. Initially, they had asked for N5 million before reducing it to N3 million.
Controversy Over the Corpse
There was controversy over the corpse in a viral video. Samuel was the one seen in the white cloth in the video. After the NDLEA confirmed her death, they tried to leave with her body, claiming they had handed it over to the family. While she was still alive, the family had begged them to release her for treatment, but they refused. Lawyers and other sympathizers had to intervene before her body was eventually taken to the mortuary.
The Court’s Response
After his mother’s death, the court dispersed when it became clear that she had passed away. Everyone ran out, and Samuel does not know when the judge left. It was a very painful scene.
Calls for Government Action
Samuel is seeking support from Nigerians to help him pursue justice for his mother. Through his lawyer, they have written a petition, but nothing concrete has happened. He is calling on the government to ensure justice. He emphasizes that they are not criminals and need answers. He does not want to take the law into his own hands. If nothing is done, more people may die, and others could be pushed into criminality.
Coping with Loss
Life has been extremely difficult for Samuel since his mother’s death. His father is gone, and now his mother is also gone. These events have destroyed his life. He acknowledges that life has never been easy, and situations like this can push people toward crime.
Final Thoughts
Samuel’s story highlights the tragic consequences of systemic neglect and the urgent need for reform. His fight for justice continues, driven by the hope that no one else should suffer the same fate.
