According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, a convicted drug baron, used a multi-million-naira mansion at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City Estate, Lekki Lagos, as a covert laboratory to produce methamphetamine. The mansion has been forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to the agency, this came after he was successfully prosecuted and found guilty in court for narcotics offenses.
“Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah, on July 30, 2022, and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos,” agency spokesperson Femi Babafemi said in a press release issued on Sunday.
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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.
According to the agency, on Thursday, December 14, agents on patrol along the Owerri-Onitsha road in Imo discovered a way-billed cargo that contained 2.287 kg of cocaine.
The consignment was going to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and was coming from Lagos, disguised as cellophane condoms.
Isaac Okoh, 45, a suspect, has already been taken into custody.
To continue, the NDLEA reported that on Friday, December 15, its agents in Lagos detained Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun, a 75-year-old grandmother, for dealing in illegal substances.
She had litres of codeine syrup and large amounts of cannabis on her when she was apprehended in Lagos’ Oshodi neighborhood.