Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court Lagos, has ordered the remand of two suspected drug dealers, Muazee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke, who were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for allegedly trafficking in 17. 9 Kilogrames of cocaine.
The two suspected drug dealers were arrested on September 3, 2025, sequel to the discovery of the prohibited drug which was concealed textiles materials.
Justice Kakaki issued the remand order of the two suspected drug dealers, while granting a motion Exparte filed and moved by one of the agency’s lawyer, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics.
The judge also ordered interim forfeiture of two vehicles, a black Range Rover with registration number RBC 459 EJ, from which 9.60 Kilogrames of cannabis sativa was recovered and a black Toyota Venza with registration number FST 771 JQ, in which one of the suspected drug traffickers was hiding.
The lawyer had approached the court for a remand order against the alleged drug dealers, in a suit marked FHC/L/MISC/931/2025, which he said was pursuant to sections 35(1)(c), (5)(b), 6(6)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); Sections 3(1)(a), 33 (1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; Order 26 Rule (8) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as preserved by Section 6(6)(a) thereto.
In the motion Exparte, Barrister Abu had asked the court for the following: “an order of this Honourable Court for leave to extend the detention of Muazee Ademola Ogunbiyi And Shola Adegoke taken into custody on the 3rd September 2025 for the purpose of investigation by the Applicant, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) upon being implicated in the seizure of 17.90 kilograms of Cocaine at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Export Shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on the 26th August, 2025.
“An order of this Honourable Court extending the detention of Muazee Ademola Ogunbiyi And Shola Adegoke for a period of Thirty (30) days in the first instance from the date of arrest for the purposes of conducting detailed investigation into the seizure of 17.90 kilograms of Cocaine at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Export Shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos.
“An order of this Honourable Court for the interim forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV Motor Vehicle with Registration Number FROM WHICH 9.6 kilograms of cannabis sativa was recovered.
“An order of this Honourable Court for the interim forfeiture of the Toyota Venza Black in Colour with Registration Number FST 771 JQ incidental to arrest of Muazee Ademola Ogunbiyi.”
The lawyer informed the court that the application is supported with affidavit of nine paragraphs deposed to by Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, a litigation officer attached to the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services of NDLEA.
The lawyer also informed the court that the application is supported with a written address and some documentary exhibits.
Delivering ruling on the application, Justice Kakaki held that the application has merit and same is granted, adding that the two suspected are to be remanded for 14 days.
In a related development, Justice Kakaki also granted NDLEA’s request to forfeit a property located at 14, Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate Okota, Lagos State, in the interim, for being a proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: drug trafficking of 49.70 kilograms of heroine.
Justice Kakaki ordered that interim forfeiture order on the property while granting a motion Exparte filed and moved by Barrister Abu Ibrahim, on Monday.
Barrister Abu had informed the court that the motion Exparte of the interim forfeiture/attachment was pursuant to Section 44 (2) (b) & (k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered), Sections 7, 9, 10 & 12 of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction as preserved under Section 6 (6) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
The lawyer informed the the court that a freight agent working with Matt Pee Logistics Company was arrested with 49.70 kilograms of Heroin concealed in cutting Machines. Adding that in the course of investigation into the said arrest, one Chidibest Ibewuike was implicated as a member of the syndicate involved in the importation of the said drugs.
He further told the court that further investigation into the case revealed that the property is reasonably suspected to belong to him. And that the said Chidibest Ibewuike has since February 10, 2024, been at large and all efforts to trace him has been abortive. While the true ownership of the said property is unknown.
He also told the court that the said property sought to be preserved is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities to wit: drug dealing/trafficking in 49.70 kilograms of Heroin.
He therefore urged the court to grant the application to enable any person who have interest in it to appear in court and show cause why it should not be finally forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.
Justice Kakaki after listening to the submission made by the NDLEA lawyer, held that the application has merit and same is granted. Adding that the property situated at 14, Okechukwu Madueke Street, Star-Times Estate Okota, Lagos State, in the interim is forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.
The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to November 17, for report.
