The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a significant victory in its campaign against drug trafficking, obtaining the final forfeiture of a multi-billion naira 80-room hotel and other assets linked to a criminal cartel. This successful action marks a breakthrough for the agency.
Mr. Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy for the NDLEA, lauded the achievement in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, describing it as a high-impact success in the ongoing war against illicit drugs across Nigeria.
The now-forfeited hotel, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, was identified as a front for distributing illegal substances. The discovery came after a raid conducted between April 25 and April 26 by NDLEA operatives, who recovered a substantial cache of 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the premises.
According to him, this is with a total weight of 417.3 kilograms, which worth N1.042 billion in street value.
“The landed property situated at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim St. off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, was forfeited along with other items.
Items include Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KJA 79 HJ, Volkswagen delivery van numbered AAA 525 JE, KIA Ceranto car with plate number BDG 860 GQ, black-coloured Land Cruiser Prado with plate number AKD 472 DZ
“Red Colour Grand Caravan Dodge with plate number APP 847 YF, white coloured-Mazda Bus marked KTU 241 AAA, Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number ASB 500 XY
“Gold Colour Toyota Corolla Car with registration number EKY 295 JT, Ash coloured Sienna Mini Bus, 84 Television Sets, 70 Air conditioners and 13 New fridges, “he said.
Babafemi said that the final forfeiture orders were issued on July 18, by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala following the motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025 filed by NDLEA.
Reacting to the forfeiture court judgments, NDELA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the people who handled the various cases.
Marwa also commended the judiciary for delivering swift judgments that reinforced the deterrent impact of the NDLEA’s efforts
“Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when the criminals are made to forfeit all they have acquired through the proceeds of their illicit drug trade.
“We’re happy with this kind of judicial pronouncements, which will not only encourage our men to do more but will have long-lasting impact on our drug control efforts,” he said.
