NDLEA Freezes N20b In 103 Accounts Of Socialite, Mallinson Ukatu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that it has frozen N20 billion found in 103 bank accounts of a drug baron suspect and socialite, Mallinson Ukatu who was arrested in Lagos..

The agency 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 charges dated August 4, 2022, were signed by the Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, J. Sunday, J. Obi, Bridget Viasimah, J. Aernan and the Prosecuting Counsel, Mike Kassa, on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The anti-drug agency had earlier obtained an interim seizure of 25 properties belonging to Mr Ukatu who was arrested for allegedly importing tramadol valued at N3bn into the country.

The billionaire was said to have used Fruitropics Industries Limited’s United Bank for Africa account no. 1006588563 to illegally convert N123.8m which is deemed to be proceeds of an unlawful act, contrary to section 15(2)(b) and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended).