Lagos’ director forfeits N28.5m, Houses To FG
A Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday, ordered that the sum of N28.5 million, found in the account of a Director of Account, Lagos State Ministry of Public Works Corporation, Anifowoshe Muhammed Jamiu Alade, be temporary forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria, for being proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Mohammed Idris made the order while granting an Ex-parte application filed before the court by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, and argued by Muhammad Idris, lawyers to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the Director of Account.
Apart from the said N28.5 million, Justice Idris, also ordered that six flats of three bedroom, another six flats of two bedroom, and six flats of 1 bedroom, located at Adewale Osiyeku Street, Offin-Ile Igbogbo-Ikorodu, Lagos: and four flats of three Bedroom duplex, located at 6, Tunde Gabby Close, Dopemu Area Pako Bus Stop Agege, Lagos, belonging to the Director of Account, be temporary forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria.
The court also ordered interim forfeiture a semi-detached three bedroom flat, and one unit of three bedroom terrance at Cranbel Court, Citiview Estate Arepo, Ogun State, and a plot of land situated at Queen’s Garden Estate off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, for also being proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Idris, however, ordered the EFCC to publish the order granted in a National newspaper notifying the respondent in whose possession the properties sought to be forfeited are found and recovered to appear before the Court and show cause within 14 days why the properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC in an affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Zayyanu Halliru, stated that the Respondent is a Director of Accounts under the Ministry of Public Works Corporation, Lagos State, who is also a custodian initiator, first authorizer and final authorizer of the internet banking system of Public Work Corporation, Lagos State.
The deponent averred that the Respondent while as Director of Finance Incorporated a company called Maj Anny International Limited, which he is the one of the Director of the company and sole signatory to the company account, and used his position to divert public fund meant for Public Work Corporation, Lagos State.
The deponent further stated that, as a fact, his agency traced the sum of N106,095,960 million, and the sum of N223, 373, 475, which he fraudulently stolen from Public Works Corporation, Lagos State, and diverted to his company, Maj Anny International Limited. Adding that the respondent used his office and position to enrich himself with the funds from Public works Corporation to acquire landed properties within Lagos and Ogun State which the EFCC has recovered.
The deponent further stated that the respondent used part of the proceeds of crime allegedly stolen from Public Work Corporation, Lagos State to purchase and acquire the said properties. And that out the stolen funds highlighted above, the respondent purchase two properties from a company called Property Mart Real Estate Investment Limited in the sum of N37,740,000 million. While the sum of N28,500,000 Million, was recovered from him.
The deponent stated that the order of this court is needed to forfeit this aforementioned buildings and money to the Federal Government of Nigeria. And that the respondent will not be prejudiced if the application is not granted.
After listening to the submission of the EFCC lawyer, Justice Idris says: “I have perused all the processes filed and the submission of leant counsel for the application I find merit in the application and same is granted as prayed.
“The applicant EFCC is hereby ordered to publish this order to put any interested parties to come and show why this properties should not be permanently forfeited to federal government of Nigeria within 14 day from today”.
The matter has been adjourned till January 16, 2018 for hearing”.
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