Court Orders Confiscation of Kogi Government Property in Lagos, Abuja, United Arab Emirates
Judge Nicholas Uyebo of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday issued a temporary forfeiture of 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja and the UAE, linked to the Kogi State government.
The judge also ordered the preservation of the sum of 400 million naira recovered from one of Aminu Valala.
The funds are “reasonably suspected to have been obtained from illegal activity and are to be used in the acquisition of Plot No. 1224 Bishop Owl Wall Street, Victoria Island Lagos.”
Judge Oyebo approved the order after a unilateral application was made by the Lagos District Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The application was supported by an affidavit which was taken off by Adekunbi Mojibola, the investigating officer of the EFCC.
EFCC Consultant, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said the properties, including the “Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa in Municipal Plot 160 No. 345-7562, Sky View Building No. 1, Property No. 401, 4th Floor, Dubai UAE,” It was reasonably suspected to have been derived from illegal activity.
Judge Oyebo granted the request and directed the Commission to publish the interim order within 14 days to any interested party to show why the forfeiture order was not issued in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The case has been adjourned until March 28, 2023.
Court Orders Confiscation of Kogi Government Property in Lagos, Abuja, United Arab Emirates
