Lagos – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture and attachment of Rockford Hotel, located at No. 1, Feyisetan Street, Abule Iroko, Sango, Ogun State, following links to alleged drug trafficking activities.
Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the order in response to an ex parte motion filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) through its counsel, Abu Ibrahim.
The court ruling covers the entire hotel and all its appurtenances, as the property is reasonably believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activity.
The sole respondent in the case, Adekanbi Akeem Ayinde, the hotel owner, is reportedly at large. The NDLEA presented evidence linking Ayinde to the unlawful exportation of 2.20 kilograms of cocaine to India, carried out by a convicted drug courier, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary.
Investigations revealed financial transactions tying Ayinde to Mary, which the agency said established a trail of illicit funds.
The court directed the NDLEA to advertise the seized property in a national newspaper within 14 days and authorized the appointment of an Asset Manager to operate the hotel as a going concern.
The ruling also restricts any person from dealing with the property, effectively freezing attempts to sell or transfer the asset.
The matter has been adjourned to May 7, 2026, when the NDLEA is expected to report on compliance with the court’s directives.
Abu Ibrahim, representing the NDLEA, described the forfeiture as a necessary step to curb the flow of criminal proceeds and ensure that assets obtained through drug trafficking are not used to perpetuate further illegal activities.
