A 75-year-old grandmother, Sekinat Soremekun, has been apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Lagos for her involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The arrest took place on Friday in the Oshodi area of Lagos, and the agency reported the recovery of quantities of cannabis and liters of codeine syrup from the elderly suspect.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, shared details of the arrest on Sunday, stating that the septuagenarian claimed her son, Segun, who is currently at large, supplied her with the illicit substances for retail purposes.

Babafemi stated, “NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 15th December arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun for dealing in illicit drugs.”

“At the time of her arrest in Oshodi area of Lagos, quantities of cannabis and liters of codeine syrup were recovered from her. She claimed her son, Segun who is now at large supplied her the illicit substances which she retailed.”

In another significant development, the NDLEA successfully secured the forfeiture of a multi-million-naira mansion in the Victoria Garden City estate, Lekki area of Lagos.

According to Babafemi, the mansion was reportedly used as a clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine.

This followed the prosecution of a drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, by the NDLEA.

“Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

“They both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of a fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each. His vehicle marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.

“To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as a clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos, which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023,” Babafemi stated.