On Monday, Justice Tijjani Ringim of the Federal High Court in Lagos, sitting in Lagos, issued an order of interim forfeiture of the amount of N725,345,897.77 and Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, which had allegedly been diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
After hearing Bilkisu Buhari, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, argue a motion ex parte, the judge granted the order.
Buhari explained to the court that there was a reasonable suspicion that the money was obtained through illegal means, while there was also a reasonable suspicion that the property was obtained through illegal means.
The former NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, was connected to the funds and assets by the EFCC.
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Additionally, Buhari requested that the EFCC publish the interim order in a national newspaper so that “anyone interested in the properties sought to be forfeited may 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 favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
According to Justice Ringim, who approved the application, “I have listened to the submission of counsel and perused the affidavit in support of the application together with exhibits.
This statutory application is granted as requested because I think it has merit.
