Crime
Convicted drug baron forfeits VGC property used for meth production
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says the mansion used as a laboratory for the production of methamphetamine in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos, has been forfeited to the federal government.
In July 2022, the NDLEA busted the laboratory domiciled at K-5A/2, Road 14, VGC.
The boreholes and water bodies within 500 metres of the said property were said to have been contaminated.
In August 2022, Marwa said the owner of the meth laboratory identified as Chris Emeka Nzewi was producing the toxic drug in a house where he lives with his family.
The NDLEA chairman said a three-month-old baby was also living in the house.
Subsequently, the anti-drug agency arrested Nzewi and Sunny Okeh Ukah. The duo was arraigned before the federal high court in Lagos.
They pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court convicted and sentenced Nzewi and Ukah to four and three years in jail, respectively, with an option of fine and community service.
THE FINAL FORFEITURE
In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the court ordered the forfeiture of the mansion and Nwezi’s vehicle to the federal government.
“They both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each,” Babafemi said.
“His vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.
“To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023.”
OTHER ARRESTS
The anti-drug agency also announced the arrest of Sekinat Soremekun, a 75-year-old woman, for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs in the Oshodi area of Lagos state.
The agency said quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from the suspect.
The NDLEA said the woman claimed that her son, who is now at large, supplied her the illicit drugs to sell.
The agency said it intercepted a cargo heading to South Africa with over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and Rohypnol at the Lagos airport.
The agency said it has arrested two suspects — Bada Olanrewaju Akorede, and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen — in connection with the consignment.
Crime
Thieves cart away cows meant for church harvest celebration
Suspected thieves have carted away two cows from the premises of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Testimony Parish in the Egbeda area of Oyo state.
In a post published on its Facebook page, the church said the stolen cows, bought at N1.9 million, were meant for its annual adult harvest thanksgiving celebration.
The incident happened on November 11 as the church prepared for the celebration slated for November 17.
After days of searching for the missing cows, the church solicited for financial contributions to buy new cows for the harvest celebration.
“Dear Celestians and The General public, This 2 Huge Cows was stolen where it was Tied in The Church Premises at CCC Testimony parish Elerumoke Area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia and its meant for slaughter for the 9th adult harvest thanksgiving of the church coming up this Sunday 17th November 2024,” the church wrote on Facebook.
“We hereby solicit for your prayer for quick recovery of this harvest thanksgiving sacrificial materials.
“Anybody with useful information on how to recover these cows or any means of assistance to make the harvest thanksgiving a beautiful one should contact the parish shepherd.”
Crime
NDLEA arrests businessman for smuggling cocaine through ingestion
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrest of a businessman caught with a large quantity of cocaine.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, revealed the arrest on Sunday via his X account, accompanied by a video displaying the seized contraband.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly ingested a substantial quantity of cocaine in an attempt to avoid detection.
Babafemi wrote, “Detty December: Before you swallow those drugs, please remember that the new @ndlea_nigeria has the capacity and capability to catch you.
“The businessman who excreted this amount of cocaine will not only spend Christmas behind bars but also risks a life sentence at the end of his trial. Beware!”
Crime
UK teenager risks 20 years in Dubai prison for sex with 17-year-old girl
An 18-year-old British boy has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl in Dubai.
Detained in Dubai, a group of UAE legal experts, said the teenager was on holiday with his parents when he met the girl — who is now 18 — at the same hotel.
The teenagers who are both from London were said to have made plans to continue their romance when they returned to the UK.
The group, which campaigns to help people it says have suffered injustice in the UAE, said the young man was charged because the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures back in the UK.
It was gathered that the woman subsequently contacted police in Dubai and he was arrested.
The boy however claimed he was unaware that the girl was younger than him when they met. The teenager also disclosed that he was in police custody for three days and was unable to contact his parents.
“We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” he told Detained in Dubai.
“My parents knew about our relationship but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.
“When she left, I couldn’t wait to see her again when I got home. Then suddenly, police knocked on our hotel door. They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn’t tell me why. I was frightened and my parents were terrified.”
The teenager, it is understood, could face up to two decades in prison owing to Dubai’s strict laws regarding sex outside marriage.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of the campaign group, said Dubai recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but “still hosts a strict Islamic legal system”.
“Sex outside marriage is legal for tourists but only if both parties are over 18. The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn’t know that at the time,” Stirling said.
“Since his arrest, she has turned 18. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting.
“Parents will be scared to take their older teenagers on vacation with them where they could end up losing their lives over behaviour that’s completely legal in their own countries.”
The teenager and his family have called on foreign secretary David Lammy, their local MP, to intervene in the case.
The teenager is no longer being held in a police cell but is unable to leave the country, with his family facing bills of £2,000 for Airbnb accommodation until his case is resolved.
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