Court Orders Forfeiture of Hotel Links To Fleeing Suspected Drug Baron, Akeem Adekanbi

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has ordered interim forfeiture/attachment of a hotel, Rockford Hotel, located at 1, Feyisetan Street, Abule Iroko, Sango, Ogun State, for being proceeds drug trafficking/dealing.

Justice Osiagor ordered the interim forfeiture/attachment of the hotel alongside all its appurtenances.

The judge made the interim order while granting an Exparte motion filed and moved by Barrister Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics, and Head of Prosecution/Legal Services Unit of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Strategic Command.

Listed as the sole respondent in the suit numbered FHC/L/MISC/1343/2025, is one Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde, owner of the hotel, said to be at large.

In moving the court to grant the motion, the NDLEA lawyer told the court that the motion is Pursuant to Section 44 (2)(B) & (K) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered), Section 3 (1)(a) & (c) of the NDLEA Act N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, Sections 10 (1)(2) & (3), 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.

At the Monday hearing of the motion Exparte, Barrister Abu had specifically prayed the court for the followings: “an order of interim attachment/preservation on the Rockford Hotel with its appurtenances registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with Registration Number 3064821 situate, lying and being at No 1, Feyisetan Street, Abule lroko, Sango, Ogun State belonging to Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde (now at large) reasonably believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities to wit, drug trafficking/dealing.

“An order to advertise the property listed in reliefs (a) above in any of the widely circulated National Newspaper within fourteen (14) days of the grant of these orders.

“An order of the Court directing the applicant to appoint an Asset Manager to carry on the business(es) of Rockford Hotel, being a going-concern, without prejudice to the Applicable Law(s).

“An order of the Court restraining any person or persons from dealing in any manner whatsoever with the properties in reliefs (a) above, belonging to Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde, reasonably believed to have been derived from unlawful activities to wit, drug trafficking/dealing.”

Barrister Abu listed eight grounds for Court to consider in granting the above reliefs, which were: “The property now sought to be attached is reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities.

“The owner and sole proprietor of the Rockford Hotel, Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde (now at large) is alleged to have conspired with one Yemi (at large) to recruit one Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, who has been convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for unlawful export 2.20 kilogrammes of Cocaine to India.

“That the Rockford Hotel is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission with Registration Number 3064821 with its registered address at No. 1, Feyisetan Street, Abule lroko, Sango, Ogun State.

“Financial investigations reveal a huge monetary transaction between Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde and Adekoya Adebukonla Mary who was arrested for the exportation of the hard drugs.

“Investigations revealed that Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde deals in narcotic drugs. That all efforts to get the said Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde has proved abortive.

“That Investigation further revealed that the property sought to be attached reasonably believed to have been acquired/bought with the proceeds of illicit drug business.

“That Applicant is bound by law to apply for the order of interim forfeiture in order to vest proper legal custody in the Applicant pending the conclusion of investigations.”

He also informed the court that the motion Exparte was attached with some documentary exhibits and supported with an affidavit of 10 paragraphs deposed to by one Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, a Litigation Officer attached to the Prosecution and Legal Services Unit of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Strategic Command of the NDLEA.

Upon conclusion of the NDLEA lawyer’s adumbration, Justice Osiagor ruled that “the application has merit and same is granted as prayed”.

The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to May 7 2026 for report of compliance.