In a high impact breakthrough in its ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has secured the final forfeiture of a multi-billion Naira 80-room hotel and lounge in Victoria Island Lagos.
The property was linked to an illicit drug trafficking cartel along with other assets.
The 80-room hotel in Victoria Island Lagos used as cover for distributing illicit substances was raided between Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April 2025 by NDLEA operatives who after hours of combing the rooms recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 417.3 kilogrammes worth ₦1,042,500,000 only in street value.
Forfeited along with the landed property situated at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, include Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KJA 79 HJ; Volkswagen delivery van numbered AAA 525 JE; KIA Ceranto car with number plate BDG 860 GQ; Black colour Land Cruiser Prado with number plate AKD 472 DZ; Red colour Grand Caravan Dodge with number plate APP 847 YF; White colour Mazda bus marked KTU 241 AAA; Mercedes Benz truck with registration number ASB 500 XY; Gold colour Toyota Corolla car with registration number EKY 295 JT; Ash colour Sienna mini bus; 84 television sets; 70 Air new conditioners; and 13 new fridges.
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The final forfeiture orders were issued on Friday 18th July 2025 by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala following the motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025 filed by NDLEA.
Reacting to the conviction and forfeiture court judgements, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the various commands of the agency, their officers and men that handled the various cases as well as the judiciary for delivering prompt judgements to strengthen the deterrent effect of NDLEA efforts.
“Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when the criminal elements are given long jail terms and made to forfeit all they have acquired through the proceeds of their illicit drug trade, and we’re happy with this kind of judicial pronouncements, which will not only encourage our men to do more but will have long lasting impact on our drug control efforts,” Marwa stated.
