Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Socialite Barryshine’s Properties Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of four properties linked to Lagos socialite Suleiman Aremu, popularly known as “Barryshine” and “Ejeoto,” to the federal government over alleged proceeds of drug trafficking.

Justice Musa Kakaki made the order after ruling that the properties were reasonably believed to have been acquired from proceeds of unlawful activities, particularly drug trafficking and dealing.

The forfeiture order was issued in suit No. FHC/L/MISC/1344/2025 following an application filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The anti-narcotics agency, through its counsel Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics, CN, urged the court to permanently forfeit the properties.

The agency argued that investigations showed the properties were bought with proceeds from alleged drug-related conduct.

Chinedum Okoro, represented the owner of one of the affected properties at 55 Queen Street, Alagomeji, Yaba. Olatunji Abisoye also appeared for the respondent.

Court’s Ruling

In his ruling, Justice Kakaki held that the NDLEA had established sufficient grounds for the final forfeiture.

“An order of this Honourable Court is hereby granted for the final forfeiture of the properties listed in the schedule to this application, reasonably believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, to wit: drug trafficking/dealing,” the judge stated.

Properties Affected  

The properties forfeited to the Federal Government are located at 55, 55A, 63, and 72 Queen Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State.

The order concludes the forfeiture proceedings initiated by the NDLEA in 2025 against the properties allegedly linked to the socialite’s suspected drug trafficking activities.