The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of Rockford Hotel, located at 1 Feyisetan Street, Abule Iroko, Sango, Ogun State, over suspicions that the property is a proceed of drug trafficking.
The order covers the hotel and all its appurtenances.
Justice Daniel Osiagor made the interim forfeiture order on Tuesday after granting an ex parte application filed and argued by the Commander of Narcotics and Head of the Prosecution/Legal Services Unit of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ibrahim Abu.
The suit, marked FHC/L/MISC/1343/2025, listed the hotel’s owner, Adekanbi Ayinde, as the sole respondent. Ayinde is believed to be currently at large.
Moving the application, Abu relied on the provisions of Section 44 (2)(b) and (k) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 3 (1)(a) and (c) of the NDLEA Act, and Sections 7, 9, 10 and 12 of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, among other laws.
He asked the court to grant four reliefs: an interim attachment and preservation of Rockford Hotel, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under No. 3064821, on the grounds that it is reasonably believed to be proceeds of drug trafficking; publication of the forfeiture order in a widely circulated national newspaper within 14 days; the appointment of an asset manager to operate the hotel as a going concern pending the determination of the case; and an order restraining any individual from interfering with the property.
The NDLEA counsel listed eight grounds in support of the application, stating that the hotel was acquired with proceeds of unlawful drug activities.
According to the agency, Ayinde allegedly conspired with one “Yemi,” also said to be at large, to recruit Adekoya Mary—who has since been convicted and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment—for the illegal exportation of 2.20 kilograms of cocaine to India.
The NDLEA said records from the Corporate Affairs Commission confirmed Ayinde as the owner of the hotel.
It further stated that financial investigations uncovered substantial monetary transactions between Ayinde and the convicted trafficker, adding that Ayinde is allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking and has evaded arrest. The agency said the interim forfeiture was necessary to preserve the property pending the conclusion of investigations.
The motion was supported by documentary exhibits and a 10-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Okonkwo Ebuka Anthony, a litigation officer with the NDLEA’s airport command.
After considering the application, Justice Osiagor held that it had merit and granted all the reliefs sought.
The court adjourned the matter to May 7, 2026, for a report of compliance.