Convicted drug baron forfeits VGC property used for meth production

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says the mansion used as a laboratory for the production of methamphetamine in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos, has been forfeited to the federal government.

In July 2022, the NDLEA busted the laboratory domiciled at K-5A/2, Road 14, VGC.

The boreholes and water bodies within 500 metres of the said property were said to have been contaminated.

In August 2022, Marwa said the owner of the meth laboratory identified as Chris Emeka Nzewi was producing the toxic drug in a house where he lives with his family.

The NDLEA chairman said a three-month-old baby was also living in the house.

Subsequently, the anti-drug agency arrested Nzewi and Sunny Okeh Ukah. The duo was arraigned before the federal high court in Lagos.

They pleaded guilty to the charges.

The court convicted and sentenced Nzewi and Ukah to four and three years in jail, respectively, with an option of fine and community service.

THE FINAL FORFEITURE

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the court ordered the forfeiture of the mansion and Nwezi’s vehicle to the federal government.

“They both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each,” Babafemi said.

“His vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.

“To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023.”

OTHER ARRESTS

The anti-drug agency also announced the arrest of Sekinat Soremekun, a 75-year-old woman, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs in the Oshodi area of Lagos state.

The agency said quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from the suspect.

The NDLEA said the woman claimed that her son, who is now at large, supplied her the illicit drugs to sell.

The agency said it intercepted a cargo heading to South Africa with over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and Rohypnol at the Lagos airport.

The agency said it has arrested two suspects — Bada Olanrewaju Akorede, and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen — in connection with the consignment.