A Lagos State Federal High Court has ordered the confiscation of 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja, and the United Arab Emirates that are connected to the Kogi State government.
The interim injunction was granted by Judge Nicholas Oweibo in response to an ex parte request filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who argued the ex parte application on behalf of the EFCC, told the court that the properties, including the one in the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, were reasonably suspected to have been obtained via illegal activities.
Judge Oweibo further authorized the EFCC to confiscate the sum of N400 million recovered from one Aminu Falala, which was also tied to the state.
Oyedepo said the court that it was reasonable to suspect that the N400m was acquired from illegal activity and that it was meant to be used for the purchase of Plot No. 1210 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In addition, the judge ordered the EFCC to publicize the ruling within fourteen days, giving any interested party the opportunity to demonstrate why the forfeiture order should not be made permanent.
