Olayiwola Matthew
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of Extended Stay Hotel in Lekki, allegedly acquired with proceeds from drug trafficking.
The order was issued today by Justice Musa Kakaki, following an ex parte application filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The property, located at 21 Oladimeji Alo, off Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, was linked to suspected drug kingpin, Victor Falugba, who the NDLEA said used the hotel as a base for trafficking and storage of narcotics.
According to court filings, operatives raided the hotel on May 17, 2025, recovering 2.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, from Falugba’s apartment.
While Falugba escaped, two members of his syndicate, including Edwin Joseph, were arrested. Joseph has since been charged in case number FHC/L/491c/2025 and pleaded guilty to drug dealing.
The NDLEA’s counsel, Buhari S. Abdullahi, urged the court to preserve the hotel and its assets, including furniture, fixtures, and appliances, pending the outcome of the case.
He argued that the property was not only purchased with proceeds of crime but also actively used to facilitate illicit drug operations.
Justice Kakaki, after reviewing the application, held that it had merit and granted the interim forfeiture.
In his affidavit, NDLEA officer Nasiru Bagudu explained that surveillance had confirmed the hotel as the operating base of Falugba’s drug trafficking organisation.
He added that since the hotel was sealed on May 17, no individual has stepped forward to claim ownership.
Bagudu further disclosed that the confiscated substance tested positive for cannabis sativa.
The court also ordered that details of the property be published in a national newspaper for 14 days, giving any interested third party an opportunity to present a claim.
If no valid claim is made, the NDLEA will seek a final forfeiture order in favour of the Federal Government.
The matter has been adjourned to October 16 for further hearing.