Revealed: Properties Forfeited to FG by Alleged Drug Baron, Ariket

Newsmakersng has uncovered two of the nine properties seized from Lagos socialite, Funmilayo Arike Ogbuaya, popularly called Ariket, because of her alleged involvement in narcotic drugs and money laundering.

A Federal High Court in Lagos ordered a temporary forfeiture of nine listed properties to the Federal Government on Friday, following a Motion Ex-parte marked FHC/L/124c/3017, filed by the NDLEA.

Ariket, who is on the run, is wanted 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.

The properties uncovered by Newsmakersng include a two-storey shopping complex, Ariket Plaza, and a plot of land. Both properties are located around Alake bus stop, on Idimu-Ikotun road, Ikotun, Lagos.

Newsmakersng learned that the plot of land was used as an automobile shop, Ariket Motors, by the suspect before the business was shut down.

Our correspondent was, however, prevented from taking photographs of the now vacant plot by a group of men guarding the property.

The court, presided over by Justice Hadizat 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.

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