By: Kemisola Oye
JUSTICE Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of Four Hundred Million Naira (₦400,000,000.00) only and 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja and the United Arab Emirates linked to the Kogi State government, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Oweibo made the interim forfeiture order, following an ex parte motion filed by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
In his argument before the court, Oyedepo (SAN) said 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.
He also told the court that the ₦400 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.”
However, after listening to his submission, Justice Oweibo ordered the EFCC to confiscate the sum of ₦400 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 and subsequently adjourned to 14th March 2023 for further hearing.