A Lagos socialite and businesswoman, Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly known in social circle as Ariket, has temporarily lose nine landed properties to the Federal government of Nigeria.
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Ariket also known as Funmilola Ogundipe, who is said to be at large, was linked to several hard drugs dealings.
Ariket’s properties listed to be temporary forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria includes: 146, Idimu Road, Alimosho, Lagos, 235, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Ikotun, Lagos; 18, Olayiwola Shittu Street, Abaranje, Ikotun; 13B, Ladipo Kuku, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja.
Others include: 8, Olufemi Avenue, Omiasoro, Ilesa, Ilesa East LGA, Osun State; 6, Hakeem-One, Momoh Close, Governor’s Road, Ikotun; a plot of land at council area, Cele Bus stop, Idimu-Ikotun, and a plot of land along Papalanto-Shagamu Road, Omu-Penpe Village, Obafemi-Owode LGA, Ogun State.
The above-mentioned properties belonging to the socialite was ordered to be temporary forfeited to the Federal government by a Federal High Court, Lagos, sequel to a Motion Ex-parte marked FHC/L/124c/3017, filed before the court by the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In urging the court presided over by Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, to grant the application on Friday, NDLEA lawyer, Abu Ibrahim, said the application was brought pursuant to section 44(2)(k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended in 2011), Section 3(1)(a)(c), 33(1)(a), 2 and 3, 36(b) of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and undef inherent jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The NDLEA lawyer, Abu had urged the court to temporarily award the listed properties of Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, a.K.a. Ariket; Funmilola Ogundipe, who is being investigated for Offences of conspiracy to traffic in narcotic drugs, drug trafficking, and money laundering to the federal government.
Abu also urged the court to permit or authorise his agency to place the said listed properties under seal pending the arrest and prosecution of the said socialite and Businesswoman, Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, a.K.a. Ariket; Funmilola Ogundipe.
Upon listened to the submission of the NDLEA lawyer, Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, granted the Motion Ex-parte, and ordered that all the listed properties belonging to the said socialite and businesswoman be temporary forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria, pending her arrest and prosecution.
In the same vein, Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, has ordered the remand in Prison’s custody of Mrs. Morayo Omolara Odeyemi, the alleged co-conspirator of Ariket in the unlawful drug dealing, pending when she will deliver ruling on her bail application.
The court ordered the remand of the 57 years old Oduyemi, after she was arraigned before the court on Friday, on three counts charge bordering on conspiracy, attempt to unlawful export 1.595 kilograms of Cocaine to Saudi Arabia, and unlawful dealing in narcotic leveled against her by the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Omolara according to charge marked FHC/L/124c/2017, was alleged to have conspired with a Lagos socialite and businesswoman, Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, a.K.a. Ariket; said to be at large, to unlawfully dealt in narcotic.
The defendant was arrested by the NDLEA Operatives on February 23, 2017, at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of passengers Egypt Air flight to Saudi Arabia, at the Egypt Air check-in-counter with the said banned drug of 1.595 kilograms.
The offences according to the NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, are contrary to and punishable under sections 14(b), 11(b) and 19 of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Upon the defendant’s not guilty plea, her lawyer, Anthony Nnamoko, informed the court of his client’s bail application, and urged the court to grant her bail.
Responding, the NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim, urged the court not to grant the defendant’s bail application, as granting it will jeopardize further investigation on the matter.
After listened to the submissions of both parties, Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Prison’s custody, pending when ruling will be delivered on her bail application.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned till May 19, 2017.
