Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Convicted Drug Baron’s N24.8m, Car

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N24,834,160.47, which belonged to convicted drug baron Ndive Obinna.

Justice Osiagor also ordered the final forfeiture of a brand-new red RAV 4 SUV, which Obinna allegedly used to transport illegal drugs.

The funds were identified as being held in Access Bank account numbers 0094011231 and 0056067344 and Zenith Bank account number 2084713771.

Specifically, the two Access Bank accounts contained N24,349,432.34, while the Zenith Bank account held N484,725.13.

After listening to a motion filed by Aondover Yuanyam, a lawyer with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the judge ordered that the assets be forfeited to the federal government.

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While moving the application, Aondover cited several legal provisions, including sections 3(c), 27, 31(a), 32, 33, 34, and 37 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, (As Amended), and Section 44(2)(b)(e) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

He also referenced Order 26, Rule 8(b) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

Aondover informed the court that Obinna had been arrested for conspiracy to possess and possession of 2.412 kilograms of cocaine.

The drug baron had pleaded guilty to both charges and was subsequently convicted and sentenced after the trial.

On January 27, 2025, the judge issued an interim forfeiture order for the funds and the vehicle and directed the NDLEA to publish the order.

But at the resumed hearing of the matter, no one came forward, including the convicted drug baron, to claim the assets.

As a result, Aondover urged the court to grant the federal government of Nigeria the final forfeiture of the funds and the vehicle.

In his ruling, Justice Osiagor stated, “The prayers sought are granted as prayed.”