Court Orders Forfeiture Of Properties Linked To Alleged Drug Baron, Barryshine
Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court, Lagos, ordered interim forfeiture of four buildings linked to an alleged drug baron, Suleiman Aremu Ganiu.
The alleged drug baron popularly called Barryshine and Ejeoto in the social circle, is currently standing trial on drug trafficking charges before the courts presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court, Lagos.
Justice Kakaki made the forfeiture order, sequel to an Exparte motion marked FHC/L/MISC/904/2025 filed and argued by Barrister Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics.
Barrister Abu had told the court that the application for the interim order, was pursuant to to Section 44 (2) (b) & (k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended); Sections 7, 9, 10 & 12 of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery And Management) Act, 2022 and under court’s inherent jurisdiction as preserved under section 6 (6) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
Barrister Abu had told the court that the motion is supported with an affidavit deposed to by an operative of the agency, Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony written address.
He also told the court the the grounds for the orders sought for are: “that the property now sought to be attached is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities to wit: drug dealing/trafficking.
“The ownership of the said properties is unknown. And that investigations at the office of the Registrar of Titles of the Lagos State Lands Bureau did not reveal the ownership of the properties listed in the schedule to this application.
“That applicant (NDLEA) is statutorily required by law to apply for the order of preservation and advertisement to bring the said properties to the owner(s)’s attention and of any interested 3rd parties.”
Justice Kakaki after listening to the submission canvassed by the NDLEA lawyer, held that the application has merit and same is granted as prayed.
The judge however held that the Interim order shall last for 60 days commencing from September 24, 2025.
The judge also directed the NDLEA to advertise the listed properties in any of the widely circulated National Newspaper, for anyone that has interest in them to appeared before the court and give reasons, so that they will not be finally forfeited to the he federal government of Nigeria.
In the same vein, Justice Kakaki has permitted NDLEA to further remand a suspected drug trafficker, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, who was arrested for trafficking 17.90 kilograms of Cocaine.
The judge made the remand order for 14 days, for the NDLEA to conclude investigation on his arrest. And that due to the complexity of this investigation which is being done in conjunction with foreign anti narcotic drugs agencies and collaborators.
NDLEA lawyer, Barrister Ibrahim had told the court that the order sought for in suit number FHC/L/MISC/905/2025, was pursuant to sections 35(1)(c), (5)(b), 6(6)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended); Section 3(1)(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; Order 26 Rule (8) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009; and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction as preserved by Section 6(6)(a) thereto.
Barrister Ibrahim told the court that the motion is supported with a nine paragraph-affidavit deposed to by Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, an operative of the agency, a written address and some documentary exhibits.
The suspected drug trafficker, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was arrested on August 26, 2025, at SAHCO Export Shed of the MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during outward clearance/search of consignment.
He was alleged to have concealed 17.90 kilograms of Cocaine inside Textile materials, meant to be exported.
