THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported that a mansion used as a methamphetamine production lab in Victoria Garden City, Lagos, has been forfeited to the federal government.
In July 2022, the NDLEA discovered a laboratory at K-5A/2, Road 14, VGC, allegedly contaminated with boreholes and water bodies within 500 meters of the property.
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.
In August 2022, NDLEA chairman Mohammed Buba Marwa reported that Chris Emeka Nzewi, owner of a meth laboratory, was producing the toxic drug with his family and a three-month-old baby was also living in the house.
Nzewi and Sunny Okeh Ukah were arrested by the anti-drug agency and arraigned before the federal high court in Lagos, where they pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court sentenced Nzewi and Ukah to four and three years in prison, respectively, with the option of a fine and community service.
In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the court ordered the forfeiture of Nwezi’s mansion and 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.
“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,” Babafemi said.