The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized N20bn in 103 bank accounts belonging to Lagos socialite and businessman, Afam Ukatu.
The NDLEA apprehended Ukatu on a flight from Lagos to Abuja on April 13.
He was arrested over an alleged N3 billion tramadol deal linked to Abba Kyari, the suspended deputy commissioner of police (DCP).
The agency secured an interim seizure of 25 properties belonging to the businessman on August 29.
The NDLEA has also filed 23-count charges against the socialite 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 charge, marked FCT/ABJ/CR/320/2022 and dated August 4, was filed before a federal high court in Abuja.
Among several allegations in the charge sheet, the billionaire was said to have converted N123.8 million, which is considered to be the proceeds of an illegal act and is punishable under sections 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011, using Fruitropics Industries Limited’s United Bank for Africa account no. 1006588563.
He was also accused of using Mallinson and Partners Limited’s UBA account between January 1, 2018, and September 23, 2021, to convert N1.447 billion.
In count four, he was accused of using NISPO Porcelain Company Limited to convert N57,436,206, proceeds of crime.
The NDLEA said his offences are punishable under the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).
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