A Federal
High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of two properties in
Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Justice
Mohammed Liman made the order following an ex parte application by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).
The EFCC,
through its counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, said it was seeking an order of interim
forfeiture because of the properties located at 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti Osa
Local Government Area were allegedly acquired through “proceeds of unlawful
activities”.
Part of
the reliefs sought by the EFCC included “An order of this honourable court
forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria landed property with
appurtenances situate, lying and known as No. 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti Osa
Local Government Area of Lagos State found and recovered from the respondent
which property is reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of
unlawful activity”.
The commission alleged that while serving as Kwara State Governor, Saraki withdrew
over N12 billion cash from the state’s account and paid same into his accounts
domiciled in Access and Zenith Banks through one of his personal assistants,
Abdul Adama.
He was accused of failing to declare
his assets, an allegation he denied, alleging that he was being witch-hunted.
The Supreme Court subsequently dismissed the false assets declaration trial.
The Supreme Court subsequently dismissed the false assets declaration trial.
Culled from the Nation
