Ladipo Sanusi/
Nine houses belonging to a Lagos socialite have been forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) over allegations that she is a drug dealer.
Going by the order of a Federal High Court in Lagos this weekend, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, known in social circles as Ariket, will temporarily forfeit the identified properties to the FGN.
Newsmakersng gathered that the court order followed a Motion Ex-parte marked FHC/L/124c/3017, filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Ariket’s properties listed to be temporarily forfeited include: House Number 146, Idimu Road, Alimosho, Lagos; 235, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Ikotun, Lagos; 18, Olayiwola Shittu Street, Abaranje, Ikotun, and 13B, Ladipo Kuku, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja.
Others are: 8, Olufemi Avenue, Omiasoro, Ilesa, Ilesa East LGA, Osun State; 6, Hakeem-One, Momoh Close, Governor’s Road, Ikotun; a plot of land at council area, Cele Bus stop, Idimu-Ikotun, and a plot of land along Papalanto-Shagamu Road, Omu-Penpe Village, Obafemi-Owode LGA, Ogun State.
Linked to several drug deals, Ariket also known as Funmilola Ogundipe was said to be at large.
She was accused of dealing in narcotic drugs and money laundering.
Urging the court, presided over by Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, to grant the application on Friday, NDLEA lawyer, Abu Ibrahim, said the application was brought pursuant to section 44(2)(k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended in 2011), Section 3(1)(a)(c), 33(1)(a), 2 and 3, 36(b) of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and under inherent jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
Ibrahim also urged the Court to permit or authorise his agency to place the listed properties under seal, pending the arrest and prosecution of the socialite.
After the lawyer’s submission, Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari granted the Motion Ex-parte, and ordered that all the listed properties belonging to Ariket should be temporarily forfeited to the FGN, pending her arrest and prosecution.
Justice Rabiu-Shagari also ordered Ariket’s alleged accomplice, 57-year-old Mrs Morayo Omolara Oduyemi, to be remanded in prison custody, pending ruling on her bail application.
Oduyemi was arraigned on a 3-count charge of conspiracy, attempts to unlawfully export 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia, and unlawful dealing in narcotic.
The defendant was arrested by NDLEA operatives on February 23, 2017, at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of passengers Egypt Air flight to Saudi Arabia, at the Egypt Air check-in-counter with the banned drug weighing 1.595 kilograms.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Upon the defendant’s not guilty plea, her lawyer, Anthony Nnamoko, informed the Court of his client’s bail application, and urged the Court to grant her bail.
Responding, the NDLEA prosecutor urged the Court not to grant her bail application. He argued that granting it could jeopardize further investigation on the matter.
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Hmmmm! Blood money!!! Many of these so called socialites and big guns in Nigeria parades questionable wealth. At one point or the other, the hand of the law would catch up with them and their illicit businesses would be exposed. It is always best naming and shaming these people when apprehended, hopefully it would stand as a deterrent to others.
Catch them all! Much more, visit the North too, don’t keep it sectional and let’s hear about the cases. These criminals enjoy free reign in the North and nobody is even talking about them!! This is why I’ll never not applaud this effort.