• Arrests grandma in Lagos for Illicit drugs, 1.5m Opioid pills seized, 2.2kg cocaine intercepted in Owerri; three bandits’ drug suppliers nabbed in Zamfara
A multimillion-naira residence situated at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) estate in the Lekki area of Lagos has been forfeited to the Federal Government.
This action followed the successful prosecution and conviction of Okenwa Chris Nzewi, a convicted drug baron, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Okenwa, along with his associate Sunny Okeh Ukah, was apprehended on July 30, 2022.
They were subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos. On July 17, 2023, both individuals pleaded guilty and were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment, respectively.
They were also fined four million naira and three million naira, with the option of an additional community service period of four and three weeks each.
Okenwa’s vehicle, marked EKY 496 DJ, was also forfeited to the Federal Government.
To further impede Okenwa from benefiting from the proceeds of his criminal activities, NDLEA initiated a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as a clandestine laboratory.
The Federal High Court Lagos granted an interim forfeiture order, which expired on December 6, leading to the final forfeiture on December 7, 2023.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old woman, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun, on December 15 in the Oshodi area of Lagos for dealing in illicit drugs.
Meanwhile, in Imo, on December 14, operatives intercepted a consignment containing 2.287kg of cocaine concealed in cellophane condoms along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway.
Isaac Okoh, aged 45, was arrested in connection with the incident.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), intercepted over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol in a cargo bound for South Africa.
Two suspects, Bada Olanrewaju Akorede and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen, have been taken into custody.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, operatives seized 1,496 bottles of codeine syrup on December 15 in the A.Y.A area, leading to the arrest of Ozioma Enoja, aged 31.
Another consignment of 400 bottles of codeine syrup from Port Harcourt was also confiscated along the Abaji-Abuja highway on December 16, with suspect Bala Ishaq apprehended.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives carried out successful operations in various states, including the recovery of cannabis and the arrest of individuals involved in drug-related activities.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men across different commands for their arrests and seizures.
He urged them to intensify efforts against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance with drug demand reduction initiatives.
The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued with lectures in schools, markets, worship places, and other locations nationwide.
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