A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor on Thursday granted an order of interim forfeiture of a landed property situate at No. 23 Sunny Mbilla East Street, Bucknor, Lagos State, two Mercedes Benz Trucks, as well as other items alleged to have been used as instrumentalities for committing drug offences.
Other items which the court ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim are 390 cartons of viagra drug, 126 buckets of PoP paint, 7 cartons of LED bulbs, 1 cooking gas cylinder, 47 cartons of manual Grinders, 1 mattress, 90 cartons of Rice Stills, 6 cartons of vegetable oil, 176 cartons of Real Extra, one Chest and Lung Table all which are alleged to have been used as a starch house of 89.6 tons of narcotic drugs and used as instrumentalities for committing drug offences.
When the matter came up for hearing today, counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Buhari Abdullahi told Justice Daniel Osiagor that the prosecution has an exparte motion pending before the court and pleaded with the court to allow him move the said motion.
Moving his application, Buhari said his motion for interim forfeiture was brought pursuant to Sections 44(2) & (6) and 6(6)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended);
Sections 3(1)(a), (b) & (c), 31(f), 41(b)(iv) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, LFN 2004 (as amended);
Sections 4(b) & (c), 7, 8(1) & (9), 9(1), (3), (4) & (6), and 10(1) of the Proceeds of Crimes (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022; and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.
The applicant (NDLEA) sought for an order of preservation and attachment in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria the properties said to have been used as instrumentalities for the storage, concealment and distribution of 4.6 tons of Tramadol and 85 tons of Cough Syrup with Codeine, both narcotic drugs similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD.
An order directing the Applicant to publish the Order of Preservation and Attachment of the said properties in a national daily newspaper within a period of Fourteen (14) days to enable third-party come forward and show their interest.
Stating the grounds for the application , Buhari submitted that the landed property sought to be preserved and attached were used as a means of conveyance, storage and concealment of narcotic drugs.
“Investigation into the properties revealed that they were used for illicit drug business, cover-up, storage facilities for drugs, and means of transportation”
He added that continued keeping of the properties by the NDLEA will cause decay and depreciation in value.
The items sought to be forfeited includes two flats each with two bedrooms, sitting room, store, toilets and a large compound situate at number 23 Sunny Mbilla East Street, Bucknor, Lagos State, 85 tons of Cough Syrup with Codeine and 4.6 tons of Tramadol.
Other items listed for interim forfeiture are; 390 cartons of viagra drug, 126 buckets of PoP paint, 7 cartons of LED bulbs, 1 cooking gas cylinder, 47 cartons of manual Grinders, 1 mattress, 90 cartons of Rice stills, 6 cartons of vegetable oil, 176 cartons of Real Extra, one Chest and Lung Table all which are said to have been used as a store house of 89.6 tons of narcotic drugs and as instrumentalities for committing drug offences.
In an affidavit filed in support of the exparte motion and sworn to by one Akande Titus Adeshola an operative of NDLEA, the deponent averred that he was part of the team that carried out the operation which led to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of 4.6 tons of Tramadol and 85 tons of Cough Syrup with Codeine, both narcotic drugs similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD.
It was further stated that sometime in October 2025, NDLEA received a credible intelligence on the illicit drug activities of a Drug Trafficking Organization specializing in importation and distribution of Tramadol and Cough Syrup with Codeine.
That surveillance revealed the organization’s leadership, members, operating base and storage facility.
That the organization’s base which was used as an instrumentality for committing drug offences was identified as No. 23 Sunny Mbilla East Street, Bucknor, Lagos.
That the landed property consists of dual flats with two bedrooms, sitting rooms, stores, toilets and a large compound.
“That the Drug Trafficking Organization is headed by a notorious drug baron known as Igwe Bishop, believed to be the owner of the said property.”
The deponent also averred that on 19th of November 2025, operatives of the agency raided the premises and recovered the drugs and arrested six persons while kingpin escaped during the operation.
It was further stated that the six arrested persons were charged before the court in Charge No: FHC/L/13C/2026 – FRN v. Onyekachi Pius Nwanagu & 5 Ors.
That investigation established that the landed property and two Mercedes Benz trucks belong to the fugitive kingpin and were used as instrumentalities of crime.
That no person has come forward to claim the properties since their sealing as the properties have remained sealed and in NDLEA custody since 19th November 2025.
That the properties are subject to forfeiture under the NDLEA Act.
That ownership of the vehicles could not be traced to any lawful claimant.
That publication in a national daily newspaper is necessary to invite third-party claims.
That the recovered substances were scientifically confirmed as Tramadol and Cough Syrup with Codeine.
After hearing the submission of Buhari and evaluating the documents placed before the court by the anti-narcotic agency, Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the order of interim forfeiture of the listed items in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria and ordered NDLEA to publish the order in a national daily within 14 days for interested party to come forward and show interest.
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