Alleged Drug Trafficking: Lagos Socialite, Barryshine Forfeits 4 Properties To FG

Suleiman Ganiu Aremu a.k.a. Barryshine

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of four properties belonging to a Socialite, Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, to the Federal Government.

Justice Musa Kakaki who presided over the court made orders of final forfeiture of the four properties, on June 9, after ruling that they were proceeds of alleged drug trafficking activities.

Justice Kakaki made the order in suit marked FHC/L/MISC/1344/2025, following an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking permanent forfeiture of the properties.

The application was filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA through one of its lawyers, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics (CN) against Suleiman Aremu Ganiu, also known as “Barryshine” and “Ejeoto.” 

In the application for final forfeiture of the properties, Barrister Abu argued that the properties were reasonably believed to have been acquired from proceeds of unlawful activities, specifically drug trafficking and dealing.

During the proceedings of the final forfeiture of the properties, NDLEA’s counsel, Barrister Abu, appeared for NDLEA, Barrister Chinedum Okoro represented the owner of one of the affected properties located at 55, Queen Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Barrister Olatunji Abisoye also appeared as counsel for the respondent/applicant. 

After considering the application and submissions made by the counsel, before it, Justice Kakaki held that: “an order of this Honourable Court is hereby granted final forfeiture be made in respect of the properties listed in the schedule to this application reasonably believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: drug trafficking/dealing.”

The four properties finally Forfeited to the Federal government are located at 55, 55A, 63, and 72, Queen Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State.

The ruling brings to a close the forfeiture proceedings initiated by the anti-narcotics agency in late 2025.