The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated N20 billion lodged in 103 bank accounts belonging to Lagos socialite and businessman, Chief Afam Mallinson Emmanuel Ukatu.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Ukatu is being held in Ikoyi Custodial Centre for alleged drug dealing.
The NDLEA has also filed 23-count charges against the suspect and his six companies -Fruitroprics Industries Limited; Mallinson and Partners Limited; NISPO Porcelain Company Limited; MBL Multi-links Services Limited; NISPO Oil and Gas Limited; and Urban Space Services Limited – before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The agency had earlier obtained an interim seizure of 25 properties belonging to Ukatu who was arrested for allegedly importing tramadol valued at N3 billion into Nigeria. NDLEA said he established pharmaceutical companies and used them as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria.
His alleged offences occurred between February 6, 2019, and October 14, 2021.
This newspaper had reported how Ukatu was arrested in April. He was reportedly behind the N3 billion Tramadol deal involving the embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari-led Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
