Benin City, Edo State — Human rights advocates have raised alarm over the continued detention of Gift Ekoh, a female inmate living with AIDS, who has reportedly been held without access to medication for over one month in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Arrested But Not Arraigned
Ms. Ekoh, believed to be in her late 40s, was arrested on 17th June 2025 on suspicion of drug-related offenses. Since her arrest, she has neither been formally arraigned before a court nor granted access to her essential antiretroviral treatment (ART), according to sources close to the case.
Health Deterioration Raises Concern
“She is deteriorating fast,” said Emmanuel Uzonowe of FOI Counsel, a national legal aid group, who visited the facility last week.
“Her health condition is critical. She has openly disclosed her HIV-positive status, yet she remains in a poorly ventilated cell without access to proper medical care. This is a gross violation of her rights and of all known standards for the treatment of detainees,” Emmanuel added.
NDLEA Responds With Silence
The NDLEA has yet to issue a formal statement in response to inquiries made by journalists and civil society organizations. However, an officer at the Benin Command, who spoke under anonymity, claimed they were unaware of Ms. Ekoh’s medical condition until it was brought to their attention by her counsel.
Legal Experts Decry Rights Violations
According to FOI Counsel boss, President Aigbokhan, “This case exemplifies the dangerous intersection of poor healthcare and arbitrary detention in our justice system. No person—regardless of the charges they face—should be denied life-saving treatment.”
Violation of Nigerian and Global Standards
Under Nigerian and international law, detainees retain their right to healthcare, including access to HIV/AIDS treatment. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules) obligate authorities to provide adequate medical care to all persons in custody.
Call for Temporary Medical Release
A formal petition has been submitted to the NDLEA in Benin seeking Ms. Ekoh’s temporary release for medical attention until court proceedings resume.