101-year-old great-grandmother arrested for selling illicit substances in Nigeria
An unusual case has captured the attention of international public opinion after the arrest of Esther Ogunmabo, a 101-year-old woman, was made known, who was captured in southwestern Nigeria on charges of illegal cannabis trafficking.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Nigeria reported that the arrest took place on August 15 in the town of Ilisan, located in Ogun State. During the operation, authorities seized 90 grams of “skunk,” a variety of cannabis that the elderly woman kept distributed in small sachets ready for retail sale.
A story of necessity after a personal tragedy
During the interrogations, Ogunmabo confessed to the investigators that he began to dabble in this illicit activity as a means of subsistence after suffering the total loss of his provisions business, which was consumed by a fire some time ago.
The detainee admitted that she was selling the substance in small portions among the inhabitants of her community, seeking a source of income after the destruction of her only previous means of livelihood.
Supply chain research
Nigerian authorities have expanded their investigation into the woman’s family circle. According to the information gathered, one of her daughters, a resident of the city of Lagos, had been supplying the merchandise to her mother every four days so that she could proceed with its division and subsequent sale.
- The detainee’s daughter is already in police custody for her alleged involvement in supplying the drugs.
- The authorities continue to delve into the investigations to clarify the scope of this local distribution network.
Humanitarian measures and legal status
Given the citizen’s advanced age, Mohamed Buba Marwa, chief executive of the anti-drug agency, ordered that Ogunmabo be released on bail. Instead of facing conventional criminal proceedings, the woman has been enrolled in an orientation and counseling program.
So far, no formal charges have been filed against the great-grandmother, while the case remains under review by the competent authorities, setting a precedent due to the particular circumstances of the individual involved.
