NDLEA Seeks To Attach Drug Suspect’s Property

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has filed an application before a federal high court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, asking for an order of attachment of property of a housewife, Omolayo Iphigenia Adeniji standing trial before the court for drug-related offences.

The property sought to be attached by the Anti-Drug Agency were suspected to have been acquired with the proceed of illicit drug business.

In an affidavit in support of the application sworn to by NDLEA litigation clerk, Abdulrauf Danjuma, and filed before the court by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, the deponent averred that Omolayo Iphigenia Adeniji was invited by the NDLEA on 19 March, 2012 following a search conducted at the residence of her husband, Adegboyega Ayobami Adeniji at Plot 171 Road 3, Close 9, Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

The said Adegboyega Ayobami Adeniji was arrested on 4 April, 2011 in the United Kingdom by the British Customs for importing 39 kilogrammes of cocaine, heroin and Methamphetamine into the United Kingdom. He was found guilty by the British Crown Court for conspiracy to import class A drugs into the United Kingdom and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on the 2 March, 2012.

Sequel to the mutual legal assistance request based on a treaty between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, NDLEA began investigating the activities of the convict in Nigeria. In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Adegboyega Adeniyi was using Potential Four Limited and Potential Four Petroleum companies through his wife, Omolayo Iphigenia currently standing trial before the court to launder the proceeds of his illicit drug trade into bank accounts belonging to the two companies.

The wife was further alleged to have used proceeds of her husband’s illicit drug trafficking to acquire properties both on behalf of her husband, and herself in the name of her minors namely, Olivia Omoshile Adeniji and Louisa Temitope Adeniji both aged six and seven respectively.

When Omolayo  learnt that her husband had been arrested in Britain for drug offence she immediately began to dispose of the properties in Nigeria, as she had disposed of four plots of land situated at Bogije village, Lekki Local Government Area for N16 million.

The Deponent averred that in a bid to prevent the accused (Omolayo) from further selling the properties, and following the outcome of investigation, a four-count criminal charge of money laundering was preferred against Omolayo Iphigenia Adeniji who has been arraigned before Justice John Isoho.

The anti-drug trafficking agency is now urging the court for an order of attachment and vest the following property in the custody of NDLEA, pending the final determination of the case against the accused.

•A property situated at Plot 171 Road, 3 Close 9, Victoria Garden-City.

•A three-bedroom apartment at Alkowe Items Wright Estate, Yaba, Lagos.

•AP Petrol station located at Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State

•Shops 1-337 and 1-339 at Ikota Shopping Complex, Lagos.

•Mercedes Benz GL 450, 4matic with Registration number SP 65 AAA, purchased in the name of their minors aged 6 and 7.

•Range Rover SUV with registration number VX 1 belonging to the accused.

The court has adjourned till next week for ruling.