Crimes

Convicted baron loses mansion used for drug production in Lagos

A multi-million-naira mansion located at the Victoria Garden City (VGC) estate in the Lekki area of Lagos used as a clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine by a convicted drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, has been forfeited to the Federal Government following his prosecution and conviction in court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Okenwa was arrested alongside 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 sitting Lagos.

They both pleaded guilty on July 17, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of N4 million naira and N3 million, respectively, in addition to community service for four and three weeks each.

Okenwa’s vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.

The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, December 17, noted that the anti-drug agency, in an attempt to further deny the drug baron of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, filed a civil forfeiture charge against the mansion used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court in Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on December 6 before the final forfeiture on December 7, 2023.

Babafemi added that four suspects – Ezekiel Monday Thompson, 56; Hezekiah Ime, 20; Nsikak Okon Jonah, 39; and Chidi Kalu, 44 – were arrested with 121kg cannabis and 5.1grams of methamphetamine in parts of Cross River state on Monday, December 11.

He, however, quoted the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), as urging the anti-narcotics officers to intensify the offensive action tempo against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches while maintaining an equal balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.

The Star