The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of N725,345,897.77 and Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, linked to former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi.
Naija News understands that the legal counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilkisu Buhari, earlier filed a petition before the court, stating that the money was illegally diverted from NIMASA.
He further told the court that the sum was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, while the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.
The EFCC counsel also begged the court for an order directing the commission to publish the interim order in a national newspaper, “for anyone interested in the properties sought to be forfeited to appear before the court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In her ruling on Monday, Federal High Court judge, Justice Tijjani Ringim, granted the order for the forfeiture of the landed property and the money involved.
Justice Ringim said, “I have listened to the submission of counsel and perused the affidavit in support of the application together with exhibits.
“I find merit in this statutory application and same is granted as prayed.”
