Couple Jailed 22 Years for Drug Trafficking as NDLEA Secures Forfeiture of Multi-Billion Naira Hotel in Lagos
…Indian woman, Angolan businessman, and Nigerian trafficker also sentenced in major crackdown on drug trafficking
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured multiple convictions across Lagos, Kano, and Enugu, including the sentencing of a couple to over 22 years in prison and the final forfeiture of a multi-billion naira hotel and other assets used for drug distribution in Victoria Island, Lagos.
A businessman, Ajah Johnson Uchenna, and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, were sentenced on Monday, 4th August 2025, to a combined total of 22 and a half years in prison by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8, Lagos, for their involvement in large-scale cannabis trafficking.
The couple was initially arrested on 13th June 2025 by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the Ojo area of Lagos and handed over to the NDLEA along with 277.5kg of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. Subsequent intelligence led NDLEA operatives to raid their residence and storage facility, where an additional 231kg of the same substance was discovered on 1st July.
They were arraigned in case FHC/L/632C/2025 on a four-count charge including conspiracy, dealing, and storage of a total of 414.2kg of cannabis sativa.
Delivering judgement, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Mrs Rosemary Uchenna to 17 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for three counts, while Mr Johnson Uchenna received five years imprisonment on count one and an additional six months with the option of a N1 million fine on count four. Additionally, the sum of N3,407,000, identified as proceeds of crime, was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
In a related development, a 42-year-old Indian national, Neetu Neetu, was convicted by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Kano, for importing 11kg of heroin concealed in wafer wraps and disguised as chocolates.
Neetu was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on 14th March 2025, during the inward clearance of a Qatar Airways flight from Bangkok via Vietnam and Doha. The class A drugs were recovered from her luggage following credible intelligence. She was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on two counts, with the option of a N2 million fine.
Similarly, an Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, 42, from Zaire Province, Angola, was sentenced to five years in prison by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Kano for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.829kg. Abuba was intercepted at Kano airport on 25th February 2025, while attempting to board an Egypt Air flight to Istanbul via Cairo.
Also convicted was Eze Christian Ikenna, arrested on 20th January 2023 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, upon arrival from Brazil via Ethiopia with 11.20kg of cocaine concealed in herbal tea sachets. Tried in case FHC/EN/CS/9/2023, Justice M.G. Umar sentenced him to three years imprisonment on each of two counts, to run concurrently, effective from 20th May 2023.
In another landmark legal win, the NDLEA secured the final forfeiture of a luxury 80-room hotel and lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos, used by a drug cartel as a base for distributing illicit substances.
The hotel, located at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, was raided on 25th–26th April 2025, and 589 bags of Canadian Loud cannabis weighing 417.3kg were recovered. The street value of the drugs was estimated at N1.04 billion.
Additional assets forfeited included: Multiple vehicles: Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Delivery Van, KIA Ceranto, Land Cruiser Prado, Grand Caravan Dodge, Mazda Bus, Mercedes Benz Truck, Toyota Corolla, and Sienna Mini Bus.
Other seized items included: 84 television sets, 70 air conditioners and 13 new fridges.
The final forfeiture order was issued on Friday, 18th July 2025, by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala under motion FHC/L/MISC/447/2025, following NDLEA’s petition.
Reacting to the string of convictions and forfeitures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the judiciary and NDLEA operatives for their dedication and swift prosecution.
“Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when the criminal elements are given long jail terms and made to forfeit all they have acquired through the proceeds of their illicit drug trade,” Marwa stated. “We’re happy with this kind of judicial pronouncement, which will not only encourage our men to do more but will have a long lasting impact on our drug control efforts.”
