A Lagos Federal High Court, today, ordered interim forfeiture of the sum of N400 million and 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja, United Arab Emirates linked to the Kogi State government, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who presided over the court, made the interim forfeiture order, following an ex parte motion filed and argued by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
In asking the court for the order, Oyedepo (SAN) told the judge that the properties, including the one in the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, were reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity.
Oyedepo (SAN) further told the court that the N400 million, was reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity and “intended to be used for the acquisition of Plot No. 1224 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.”
Justice Oweibo after hearing the EFCC lawyer, ordered the EFCC to confiscate the sum of N400 million also linked to the state and recovered from one Aminu Falala, and the listed properties.
The judge also directed the (EFCC) to publish the order within 14 days for any interested party to show cause why the forfeiture order should not be made permanently.
The matter has been adjourned till March 14, for further hearing.
