The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has confiscated N20 billion lodged in 103 accounts linked to billionaire businessman Mallison Ukatu.
He was arrested on the 13th of April 2022 for allegedly importing N3bn worth of tramadol.
Mr. Mallison who is the Chairman of Mallinson Group of Companies, was arrested onboard a flight to Abuja at the MM2 Terminal of the Murtala Muhammadu Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
He however regained freedom on October 12, 2022, after perfecting bail conditions issued by the Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos, and was later rearrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the court premises on the same day.
Following his recent arrest by the NDLEA, before the Federal high court Abuja, the NDLEA filed a 23-count charge against him and his six companies, which include; NISPO Porcelain Company Limited, Gas Limited and Urban Space Services Limited, NISPO Oil, Fruitroprics Industries Limited, Mallinson and Partners Limited, and MBL Multi-links Services Limited, which he used to launder proceeds from the unlawful act.
The NDLEA had earlier obtained an interim seizure of 25 of his properties.
In a similar case, earlier this month, Investors King reported that the NDLEA discovered 13 million tramadol pills worth N8.8 billion in a luxurious building in Lagos.
The drugs which were 1.8 tons (1,855 kilogrammes),was estimated to be worth more than $278.2 million, an equivalent of N194.7 billion in street value.
According to the drug enforcement agency, the mansion where the drugs were recovered from belonged to billionaire drug Baron Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia who is already in their custody.
The mansion which is located in Lekki was reported to be void of occupants, which had five exotic vehicles in two of the mansions, including a bulletproof jeep.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has stated that it is working tirelessly to go after those in illegal possession of unlawful drugs in the country.
The agency disclosed that between January and July 2022 alone, it has succeeded in arresting over 18,940 suspects and has also secured 2,904 convictions.
To upscale its drug trafficking war, the president Buhari-led administration last month provided the agency with armoured vehicles worth N580m, Investors King understands.