Following a successful prosecution and conviction of a drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) a multi-million-naira mansion belonging to the convict has been forfeited to the Federal Government.
The mansion, located at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) estate, Lekki area of Lagos was used as clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine.
The forfeiture order was given by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Femi Babafemi the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, in a statement issued on Sunday disclosed that Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah, on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The duo had pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023. They were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of N4,000,000 and N3,000,000, respectively, in addition to community service for four and three weeks each.
Furthermore, Babafemi revealed that the NDLEA had filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building, which was used as secret laboratory at the court.
The court initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on December 6 before the final forfeiture on December 7, 2023.
