In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, several high-profile convictions and asset forfeitures have been secured across Nigeria, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recording significant wins in the fight against illicit drugs.

Couple Jailed for 22 Years

In Lagos, businessman Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife Rosemary Uchenna were sentenced to a combined 22.5 years in prison by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court. They were found guilty of conspiring, dealing, and storing 414.2kg of cannabis (skunk).

The couple was initially arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ojo, before being transferred to the NDLEA. A follow-up raid on their home and warehouse uncovered even more drugs, prompting multiple charges. Mrs. Uchenna was sentenced to 17 years, while her husband got 5.5 years (with part of the sentence carrying an option of a ₦1 million fine). The court also ordered the forfeiture of ₦3.4 million found on them as proceeds of crime.

Foreign Nationals Convicted

In Kano, Neetu Neetu, a 42-year-old Indian woman, was sentenced to 10 years in prison or a ₦2 million fine after being caught smuggling 11kg of heroin disguised as chocolates via Qatar Airways.

Also in Kano, Mbala Dajou Abuba, a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, was jailed for 5 years for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine (1.8kg) in an attempt to board a flight to Turkey.

In Enugu, Eze Christian Ikenna was sentenced to six years (running concurrently) for attempting to smuggle 11.2kg of cocaine hidden in herbal tea sachets from Brazil via Ethiopia.

NDLEA Secures Billion-Naira Hotel Forfeiture

In one of the biggest busts yet, an 80-room hotel and lounge located at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, Victoria Island, Lagos—used as a front for drug distribution—was forfeited to the Federal Government.

During a raid between April 25 and 26, NDLEA operatives recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong variant of cannabis, weighing 417.3kg and valued at ₦1.04 billion in street price.

Other forfeited assets include:

Multiple luxury vehicles, including a Land Cruiser Prado, a  Dodge Grand Caravan, a Mazda bus, and a Mercedes truck.

Household electronics: 84 TVs, 70 air conditioners, and 13 fridges.

The final forfeiture order was granted by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala on July 18, 2025.

NDLEA Boss Reacts

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), praised the agency’s officers and the judiciary for their swift actions:

“These convictions and forfeitures show that crime doesn’t pay. When traffickers are jailed and their assets seized, it strengthens deterrence and supports our nationwide drug control mission,” he said.

 

The NDLEA continues to warn drug syndicates that their days are numbered as operations intensify nationwide.