By Oluwatosin Maliki
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the successful conviction of a drug baron identified as Okenwa Chris Nzewi, and forfeiture of his properties.
Quest Times gathered that a multi-million-naira mansion located at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City Estate, Lekki, Lagos, belonging to the drug baron, Okenwa, has been forfeited to the Federal Government.
The mansion was initially used by the drug baron as an illegal drug laboratory for the production of methamphetamine.
According to the anti-narcotic agency, this followed his prosecution and conviction in court for drug offences.
In a statement released on Sunday, the agency spokesman, Femi Babafemi stated, “Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.”
“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.”
“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 a 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.”
In a similar development, the agency said that in Imo state, operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway on Thursday 14th December, seized a way-billed consignment containing cocaine weighing 2.287kg.
“The shipment coming from Lagos was concealed in cellophane condoms, and heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”
NDLEA added, “A suspect, Isaac Okoh, 45, has already been arrested”.