Court Orders Forfeiture Of Alleged Drug Baron’s Property To FG

Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of a multimillion-naira property allegedly acquired through the proceeds of drug trafficking to the federal government.

The judge ordered the seizure of the property located at 14 Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate, Okota, Lagos State, after entertaining a motion ex parte filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

The agency had told the court that the property is suspected to be the proceeds of unlawful activities related to the trafficking of 49.70 kilograms of heroin.

The NDLEA lawyer, Abu had informed the court that the motion was based on Section 44 (2)(b) & (k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and Sections 7, 9, 10, and 12 of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, along with the court’s inherent jurisdiction preserved under Section 6(6)(a) of the Constitution.

Ibrahim also narrated to the judge how a freight agent working with Matt Pee Logistics Company was arrested with 49.70 kilograms of heroin concealed in cutting machines.

He claimed that a further investigation conducted by the NDLEA allegedly implicated one Chidibest Ibewuike as part of the syndicate involved in the drug importation.

The lawyer also alleged that Ibewuike has been at large since February 10, 2024, and all efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

Ibrahim also told the court that the actual ownership of the disputed property remains unknown. Still, it is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities related to drug trafficking.

He therefore urged the court to grant the application to enable any person interested in it to appear in court and show cause why it should not be finally forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.

After listening to him, Justice Kakaki held that the application had merit and granted it as prayed.

The judge held, “The property situated at 14, Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate, Okota, Lagos State, is forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the interim.

The court thereafter adjourned the matter to November 17 for further hearing.