NDLEA Secures Multiple Convictions, Final Forfeiture of Multi-Billion Naira Assets in Nationwide Drug Crackdown
Lagos, Nigeria – August 5, 2025 | The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, securing multiple convictions across Lagos, Kano, and Enugu, and obtaining final forfeiture of a multi-billion-naira hotel and luxury assets in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Lagos Couple Sentenced to 22 Years for Drug Offences
In Lagos, Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court on Monday, August 4, sentenced businessman Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, to a combined 22 and a half years in prison for dealing in cannabis. The couple was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on June 13 in the Ojo area of Lagos and handed over to the NDLEA with 277.5kg of cannabis. A follow-up raid on their home uncovered an additional 231kg of the same substance.
The duo faced trial under charge number FHC/L/632C/2025. Mrs. Uchenna was convicted on three counts and handed a 17-year sentence without the option of a fine, while her husband received five years on one count and an additional six months on another count, with a N1 million fine option. Additionally, ₦3.4 million recovered from them was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
Indian National Jailed for Heroin Smuggling in Kano
In Kano, a Federal High Court presided by Justice Simon Amobeda sentenced 42-year-old Indian woman Neetu Neetu to 10 years in prison or a fine of ₦2 million. She was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on March 14 after attempting to smuggle 11kg of heroin disguised as chocolate from Thailand via Vietnam and Doha. She was convicted under charge number FHC/KN/CR/65/2025.
Angolan Businessman Convicted for Cocaine Ingestion
Also in Kano, 42-year-old Angolan national Mbala Dajou Abuba was sentenced to five years in prison by Justice Mohammed Yunusa. He was caught on February 25 attempting to board a flight to Istanbul via Cairo after ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.83kg.
Enugu Trafficker Gets Six Years for Cocaine Importation
In Enugu, Eze Christian Ikenna was convicted on two counts of trafficking and possession of 11.2kg of cocaine hidden in herbal tea sachets. Arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport in January 2023, Eze was sentenced to six years imprisonment by Justice M.G. Umar in charge number FHC/EN/CS/9/2023. The sentence will run concurrently from May 20, 2023.
Multi-Billion Naira Drug Cartel Assets Forfeited in Lagos
In a major blow to a drug trafficking network in Lagos, the NDLEA secured final forfeiture of a luxurious 80-room hotel and other high-value assets linked to a syndicate. The hotel, located at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, Victoria Island, was raided in April, yielding 589 bags of Canadian Loud – a potent strain of cannabis – weighing 417.3kg and valued at over ₦1.04 billion.
Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala issued the final forfeiture orders on July 18, 2025, under motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025. Other forfeited assets include:
- Multiple luxury vehicles, including a Land Cruiser Prado, Grand Caravan Dodge, Volkswagen van, and Mercedes Benz truck
- Several household items: 84 TVs, 70 air conditioners, and 13 refrigerators
NDLEA Reacts
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the convictions and asset forfeitures as pivotal victories in the agency’s ongoing war on drug trafficking.
“Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when criminal elements are handed long jail terms and stripped of assets acquired through drug proceeds. These rulings not only bolster our operational morale but will significantly deter others,” Marwa said.
He commended the NDLEA commands involved and the judiciary for swift and decisive rulings that strengthen Nigeria’s anti-drug efforts.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
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