…N400m recovered by EFCC, reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity.
The Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, granted an interim forfeiture of 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja and the United Arab Emirates linked to the Kogi State Government.
The presiding judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, also ordered the preservation of the sum of N400million recovered from one Aminu Falala, which is 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.
The Judge granted the order, following an ex parte application filed by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the Kogi State Government.
In a statement issued by the EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, and made available to newsmen in Lagos, claimed that the application was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Adekunbi Mojibola, an investigating officer with the EFCC.
Moving the application on Wednesday, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, stated that: “The properties, including Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa lying, being and situate at, Plot 160, Municipality No. 345-7562, Sky View Building No. 1, Property No. 401, Floor 4, Dubai U.A.E.”, were reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activity.
“In his ruling on the application, Justice Oweibo granted the application, as prayed and directed the Commission to publish the interim order within 14 days for any interested party to show cause why the forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria”, the statement added.
The case was adjourned till March 28, 2023.
