Drug Trafficking: Court Orders Forfeiture Of Lekki Hotel
Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court, Monday, ordered interim forfeiture/attachment of a hotel, Extended Stay Hotel, alleged acquired with the proceeds of drug trafficking.
The hotel is situated at 21, Oladimeji Alo, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.
Justice made order of forfeiture/attachment of the hotel, sequel to a motion Exparte marked FHC/L/MISC/846/2025, filed and moved by Barrister Buhari S. Abdullahi, a lawyer with the National Drug Law Enforcement (Agency).
In urging the court to grant the application, Barrister Abdullahi who led Barrister Julianna Negedu, said the motion is pursuant to sections 44(2)(b) 6 (6) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended); Sections 3(1)(a)(b)(e), 3(1)(a) & 4(b) of the National Drug LAw Enforcement Agency ACT CAP N30 LFN 2004 (as amended); Sections (4)(b)(c), 7, 8 (a), 9 (1), 3(b) & (4) and 10(1) of the Proceeds Crimes Recovery And Management Act 2022, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Barrister Abdullahi had specifically asked the court for the followings; “an order of preservation/ attachment in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria of Extended Stay Hotel, situate at No. 21 Oladimeji Alo, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, its furnitures, fittings, fixtures, electronics and electrical appliances used as an instrumentality for committing drig offence.
“An order vesting the custody of Extended Stay Hotel situate at No 21 Oladimeji Alo off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos alongside all its furnitures, fittings, fixtures, electron and electrical appliances to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, pending the final determination of this action.
“An order directing the Applicant to publish the details of the properties in the national daily newspaper for a period of fourteen (14) days for third party claim.”
He also told the court that the application is supported with an affidavit deposed to by Mr. Nasiru Bagudu a Deputy Commander of Narcotics, who led the operatives that carried out credible intelligence on the alleged drug trafficking activities of one Victor Falugba, said to be the owner and Chairman/CEO of the said hotel.
In granting the application, Justice Kakaki after listening to the arguments canvassed by Barrister Buhari held that; “I have read through the processes, the application has merit an same I hereby granted”.
The matter has been adjourned to October 16, for further hearing.
Parts of the deponent’s aveerments in the affidavit in support of the Exparte motion reads: “that sometime in April, 2025, we received a credible information on activities of one Drug Trafficking Organization that specializes in dealing and distribution of Canadian Loud, a strain of Cannabis Sativa as well as financing other drug activities at Extended Stay Hotel situate at No. 21 Oladimeji Alo, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and around beaches in Lagos.
“That we carried out series of surveillance on the Drug Trafficking Organization and discovered among others some of its members and operating base, storage facility.
“That we were able to identify the organization’s base located at Extended Stay Hotel situate at No. 21, Oladimeji Alo, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos used as an instrumentality for committing all sort of illicit drug and other harmful chemical businesses.
“That the said hotel is being used as a base for the Drug Trafficking Organization as well as instrumentality in the commission of drug of fence.
“That the Drug Trafficking Organization is headed by one notorious drug dealer known as Victor Falugba, who also happens to be the owner and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the said hotel.
“That following series of surveillance on the 17th May, 2025 our operatives raided the building which resulted in the recovery of 2.5 Kilograms of Canadian Loud in the property owner, Victor Falugba’s apartment and his syndicate member, Edwin Joseph.
“That however during the operation, the Drug Trafficking Organization’s kingpin Victor Falugba escaped arrest but Edwin Joseph and another person were arrested at the scene and investigation has already unraveled level of their complicity in the illicit drug trading. And that upon the completion of investigation, Edwin Joseph was charged to Court for the offence dealing in 2.5 kilograms of Canadian loud via Charge Number FHC/L/491c/2025, FRN V. EDWIN JOSEPH and he had already pleaded guilty to the charge.
“That the investigation into the landed property sought to be preserved and attached established is ownership to be of the drug kingpin kingpin Victor Falugba who is at large and it is being used as a base for illicit drug activities and instrumentality for commission of drug of fences.
“That the properties have been under sealed since 17 May, 2025. And that since the sealing of the property no person(s) ever come forward to either claim or to lead the Agency’s investigators for the tracing of owner.
“That the publication and advertisement in the national daily Newspaper is to call the attention of the public to enable third party to come forward for claim or explanation. And that the recovered substance was scientifically analysed and confirmed positive to cannabis Sativa.
“That all instrumentality used for the commission of illicit drug offences are subject to forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“That where interim attachment/preservation order is granted, the Applicant will advertise the said property in a National Newspaper to enable anyone who might have interest to Show cause why a final order of forfeiture should not be granted to the Federal Government of Nigeria by this Honourable Court.
“That where nobody comes forward within the period to be specified by the order of this court, the applicant will apply that a final forfeiture order be made in respect of the property contained on the Motion Paper.
“That no one will be prejudiced if this application is granted. And that it will be in the interest of justice to grant this Application.”
