NDLEA Secure Final Forfeiture Of Building Linked To Alleged Drug Trafficker
A Federal High Court, in Lagos, has granted a final forfeiture order on a property situated at 14, Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate, Okota, Lagos State, linked to a suspected drug trafficker, identified as Chidibest Ibewuike, who is currently at large.
Justice Musa Kakaki, who presided over the court, made order of final forfeiture of the property today, after taken the submission of Barrister Ibrahim Abu, a Commander of Narcotics, who moved the application in a suit marked FHC/L/MISC/1342/’25,
In urging the court to make the order, Barrister Abu informed the court that the application is pursuant to Sections 36 (1), 44 (1), 44 (2) (b) & (k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered), Sections 7, 9, 10, 11, 17 & 74 of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery And Management) Act, 2022, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction as preserved by Section 6 (6) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999.
The lawyer also informed the court that the application is supported by an affidavit of 10 paragraphs deposed to by Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, a litigation officer attached to the Prosecution and Legal Services Unit of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Strategic Command of NDLEA. And that the application is also supported with a written address and other documentary exhibit.
He also informed the court that the application for the final forfeiture of the property is reinforced by some grounds which includes; “that the properties in respect of which final forfeiture is being sought are now reasonably believed to have been derived from unlawful activities to wit: drug dealing/trafficking.
“The ownership of the said properties remained unknown. 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. And that an interim preservatory order was made by this Honourable Court on the 10th December 2025 and ordered to be advertised in widely circulated National Newspaper within 14 days of the Order.
“That the said order was advertised on page 26 of PUNCH Newspapers of 18th December 2025. And that there has been no contest to the preservatory order nor was any interest shown by anyone in whatever capacity in respect of the properties listed in the schedule to this application and in respect of which the preservatory was made since the said advertisement.”
Upon moving the motion for final forfeiture, Justice Musa Kakaki acceeded to the NDLEA’s request, and ordered the final forfeiture of the property located at 14, Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate, Okota, Lagos State, for being proceeds of drug trafficking.
Parts of the aveerments in the deponent’s affidavit reads: “that on the 10th February 2024 a freight agent working with Matt Pee Logistics Company was arrested with 49. 70 Kilograms of Heroin concealed in cutting Machines.
“That in the course of investigation into the said arrest, one Chidibest Ibewuike was implicated as a member of the syndicate involved in the importation of the said drugs.
“That further investigation into the case revealed that the property stated in the schedule to this application is reasonably suspected to belong to him. And that the respondent, Chidibest Ibewuike has since February 10, 2024 been at large and all efforts to trace him has been abortive.
“That the true ownership of the said property is unknown. And that the said property now sought to be preserved is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities to wit: drug dealing/trafficking in 49.70kilograms of Heroin.
“The properties in respect of which final forfeiture is being sought are now reasonably believed to have been derived from unlawful activities to wit: drug dealing/trafficking. And that the ownership of the said properties remained unknown.
“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 an interim preservatory order was made by this Honourable Court on December 10, 2025 and ordered to be advertised in widely circulated National Newspaper within 14 days of the Order. And that the said order was advertised on page 26 of PUNCH Newspapers of 18tb December 2025.
“That there has been no contest to the preservatory order nor was any Interest shown by anyone in whatever capacity In respect of the properties listed in the schedule to this application and In respect of which the preservatory was made since the sald advertisement.
“That the Applicant 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 parties. And that there was no contest to advertisement by any interested person (s).
“That the Honourable Court can proceed to make the final order of forfeiture of the said properties on a balance of probabilities. And that the Applicant has complied with all the provisions of the Law and as such the interest of the Respondent and third parties have been fully protected.”
