…an Indian lady, Angolan businessman, 1 other bag. 21 years jail in Kano, Enugu as NDLEA secures final forfeiture of multi-billion naira Lagos hotel, cars used for illicit drug distribution

Businessman Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife Rosemary Uchenna were on Monday, 4th August 2025, sentenced to a total of 22 and a half years imprisonment by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8 in Lagos for dealing in illicit drugs.

According to a press release on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, signed by the NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the couple was first arrested on Friday, 13th June, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in the Ojo area of the state and transferred to the NDLEA along with 277.5kg skunk, a strain of cannabis.
While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in their house. This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, 1st July.

They were subsequently arraigned in charge number FHC/L/632C/2025 at the Federal High Court, Lagos on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, dealing and storage of 414.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa.

Delivering his judgement on the case on Monday 4th August, Justice Dipeolu convicted Mrs. Rosemary Uchenna on counts 1, 2, and 3 and sentenced her to 17 years in prison without an option of fine, while her husband Johnson Ajah Uchenna was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine on count 1 and six months in jail on count 4 with an option of N1 million fine.

In addition to the jail terms, the trial judge also ordered the sum of Three Million, Four Hundred and Seven Thousand Naira (₦3, 407,000.00) only recovered from the couple as proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Similarly, a Federal High Court in Kano presided by Justice Simon Amobeda has convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old Indian lady, Neetu Neetu to five years imprisonment for importing 72 parcels of heroin factory sealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates, weighing 11 kilograms into Nigeria through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano.

The class A drug consignment was recovered from Neetu’s luggage after a thorough search, following processed credible intelligence, during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand via Vietnam and Doha at the arrival hall of the Kano airport on Friday 14th March 2025. She was subsequently arraigned in charge number FHC/KN/CR/65/2025 before Justice Amobeda who eventually sentenced her to 10 years on two counts with an option of N2million fine.

In like manner, a 42-year-old Angolan businessman Mbala Dajou Abuba was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Kano following his arrest and arraignment by NDLEA for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms. Abuba who is from the Zaire province in Angola was arrested on Tuesday 25th February 2025 at the screening point of the Kano airport while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo.

Equally, a Federal High Court in Enugu has convicted another drug trafficker Eze Christian Ikenna on two counts of unlawful trafficking and possession of 11.20 kilograms of cocaine, brought against him by the NDLEA in charge number FHC/EN/CS/9/2023. He was arrested on January 20, 2023 by NDLEA operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 11.20 kilograms of cocaine concealed in herbal tea sachets.

He was subsequently arraigned before Justice M. G. Umar of the Federal High Court, Enugu, who eventually sentenced him to three years imprisonment on each count, totalling six years, while the sentence will run concurrently, effective from May 20, 2023.

In yet another high impact breakthrough in its ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, the NDLEA has secured the final forfeiture of a multi-billion Naira 80-room Hotel and Lounge in Victoria Island Lagos linked to an illicit drug trafficking cartel along with other assets.

The 80-room hotel in Victoria Island Lagos used as cover for distributing illicit substances was raided between Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April 2025 by NDLEA operatives who after hours of combing the rooms recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 417.3 kilograms worth One Billion Forty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,042,500,000) only in street value.

Forfeited along with the landed property situated at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, include: Toyota Sienna Vehicle marked KJA 79 HJ;
Volkswagen Delivery Van numbered AAA 525 JE; KIA Ceranto Car with plate number BDG 860 GQ; Black Colour Land Cruiser Prado with plate number AKD 472 DZ; Red Colour Grand Caravan Dodge with plate number APP 847 YF; White Colour Mazda Bus marked KTU 241 AAA; Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number ASB 500 XY; Gold Colour Toyota Corolla Car with registration number EKY 295 JT; Ash Colour Sienna Mini Bus; 84 Television Sets; 70 Air New Conditioners; and 13 New Fridges.

The final forfeiture orders were issued on Friday 18th July 2025 by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala following the motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025 filed by NDLEA.

Reacting to the conviction and forfeiture court judgements, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the various commands of the Agency, their officers and men that handled the various cases as well as the judiciary for delivering prompt judgements to strengthen the deterrent effect of NDLEA efforts.

“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, and we’re happy with this kind of judicial pronouncements, which will not only encourage our men to do more but will have long lasting impact on our drug control efforts”, Marwa stated.

In a strongly worded speech at the decoration ceremony for recently promoted officers, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, sent a clear message to critics of ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force: “Your lies will not derail our reforms.”

Speaking at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP reaffirmed his commitment to a merit-based system of professional advancement within the police, stressing that promotions are earned through service, not through gender, ethnic, or religious biases.

“Let me be unequivocal: there is no gender advantage. No ethnic preference. No religious pathway. Only merit,” Egbetokun said, emphasising the integrity of the recently concluded promotion exercise.

Addressing growing criticism from what he described as “a certain corner of social media”, the IGP condemned deliberate attempts to undermine the Force’s progress.

“We know there are those who fear change, who attack progress because it exposes their irrelevance. A certain corner of social media has become a playground for professional mischief-makers and agents of institutional sabotage,” he stated. “They twist facts, malign honourable men, and attempt to discredit noble efforts with shameless dishonesty.”

He warned that sustained provocations would not be tolerated, stressing that the Police Force would take lawful action against those seeking to derail reform efforts.

“Your lies will not derail our reforms. Your noise will not drown our resolve. And your provocations, if sustained, will be met with lawful consequences,” he declared. “The Nigeria Police Force is moving forward, with or without your approval.”

To the newly promoted officers, the IGP underscored the responsibilities that come with elevation in rank, reminding them that the standard has been raised and that higher expectations now follow their new status.

“Your new ranks carry a heavier burden, not just a higher badge… I trust you will rise to meet them, as you have consistently done,” he told the honourees.

He concluded with a broader call to the entire police force, urging every officer to embrace professionalism and excellence.

“The doors of honour are wide open. But they will not be entered with empty hands. Bring your excellence. Bring your discipline. Bring your results.”

Reaffirming his administration’s reform agenda, IGP Egbetokun vowed that the Nigeria Police would continue to evolve until “service becomes synonymous with pride, promotion becomes the outcome of performance, and every officer becomes a beacon of national confidence.”

The event marked yet another milestone in the IGP’s drive to institutionalise meritocracy and restore dignity within the Nigeria Police Force.

The Ndigbo Young Professionals (NYP) have risen in strong defence of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, over recent special promotions in the Nigeria Police Force, stating that the exercise was grounded in transparency and merit, not ethnic bias or favouritism.

In a statement issued on Monday in Akwa and signed by its National Coordinator, Ambassador Chukwumeka Chinonso, the group decried what it described as “false insinuations” aimed at questioning the integrity of the IGP and the professionalism of newly promoted officers.

The NYP specifically rejected attempts to cast aspersions on the character and credentials of officers such as Bukola Kuti and Yemisi Ademosu, who were unfairly portrayed by critics as mere “sidekicks” of the police chief. “These officers are not sidekicks. They are accomplished professionals whose records of service and integrity are well documented,” the statement noted.

Ambassador Chinonso emphasised that under IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has witnessed a renewed commitment to institutional reforms, where promotion is increasingly based on merit, performance, and dedication to duty.

“The recent special promotions approved by the Police Service Commission were part of the IGP’s ongoing efforts to reward excellence and inspire professional standards. These are not political favours but institutional recognitions of service,” he stated.

The NYP urged members of the public to avoid politicising what is essentially a professional and administrative process, warning that such unfounded criticisms only serve to undermine ongoing reform efforts in the Force.

“We fully support IGP Egbetokun’s commitment to building a credible, professional, and forward-looking police institution. Nigeria needs institutions that thrive on fairness and merit, not divisive narratives rooted in ethnic sentiment,” Chinonso added.

The group also applauded officers like PSO1, CP Lateef Ahmed, Force PRO, DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, PSO3, ACP Bukola Kuti, and DSP Yemisi Ademosu, commending them for their “consistent dedication to public service and national security”.

“Excellence knows no tribe,” the NYP concluded, “and under the current IGP, the Nigeria Police Force is embracing a future where competence, not connection, is the path to advancement.”

The Nigeria Police is set to honour distinguished service and professionalism as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, prepares to decorate recently promoted officers in a ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 12 noon, at the IGP Smart Conference Room, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

According to a press release on Monday, 4th August 2025, signed by Force Public Relations Officer DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the promotions follow the approval of the Police Service Commission (PSC), fulfilling a commitment made by the Force in Press Release No. CZ:5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/472 dated July 25, 2025, which promised the accelerated elevation of officers who have received consecutive national police awards or IGP commendations. The move is in line with a resolution of the Force Management Team reached at its meeting on June 23, 2025, reflecting the IGP’s reform agenda focused on merit, professionalism, and institutional pride.

Prominent among those to be decorated are

CSP Shaba Aliyu, named Police Officer of the Year 2023, was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police, effective December 31, 2023.

SP Sentome Obi, Police Officer of the Year 2024, was promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police, effective December 31, 2024.

Both officers are recognised for their exceptional service, courage, and integrity. They will be flown into Abuja aboard the police jet for the event. Their portraits have also been mounted at the main entrance of the Force Headquarters in Abuja and across all Zonal and State Command Headquarters, in line with earlier directives from the IGP.

Other beneficiaries of this promotion exercise include officers who have received national or internal commendations in at least two recent award cycles, including personnel at the IGP’s Secretariat.

Describing the gesture as a “public endorsement of excellence,” the Force Headquarters reiterated its commitment to rewarding hard work and inspiring a culture of service anchored on merit.

“This is what institutional pride looks like. This is how trust is built, from within,” the IGP stated.

In a nationwide message to all personnel, the Force assured officers that their sacrifices and integrity are not going unnoticed.

“The job is not thankless. The Nigeria Police Force, under the current leadership, is committed to ensuring that professionalism is not just praised but promoted,” the statement concluded.