News

Court Fixes April 24 To Rule On Forfeiture Of Saraki’s Lagos Properties

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed April 24, for its ruling on the final forfeiture of two properties belonging to a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is seeking the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Dr. Saraki’s properties situated at 17 & 17A, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

Moving the application for the final forfeiture of the properties on Thursday (March 5th), counsel to the applicant, Nnaemeka Omewa, told Justice Mohammed Liman, that the properties were acquired with a loan obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank and paid back by money suspected to have been diverted from the coffers of the Kwara State government.

Read Also: Kano Court Sets Aside Ruling Suspending Oshiomhole As APC Chairman

The counsel specifically said that “There are written statements from some officials of the Kwara State government on how the money was taken from the coffers of the state government and used to pay back the loan,”.

The EFCC, therefore, asked the court to look at the merit of its case, all the exhibits attached and make an order permanently forfeiting the properties to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the former Senate President through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), has asked the court to reject the application by the EFCC.

The counsel argued that the EFCC has not been able to prove that the money used to pay back the loan was acquired by any illegal activity.

He also told the court that the EFCC had litigated on the same properties before the Code of Conduct Tribunal all the way to the Supreme Court and had lost.

The counsel then asked the court to dismiss the EFFC’s suit seeking the final forfeiture of the properties and to instead, rule in favour of the former Senate President.

After listening to both parties, Justice Liman adjourned the case till April 24 for judgment

Ayanfeoluwa Akintoye

Ayanfeoluwa Akintoye is a reporter, News writer and Editor

Share
Published by
Ayanfeoluwa Akintoye

Recent Posts

Author Aisha Amdagas Unveils New Books at Borno Books and Arts Festival

On Friday, December 20th, the Borno State capital played host to an inspiring literary event…

29 minutes ago

Troops Dismantle 37 Illegal Refining Sites, Seize 130,000 Litres of Stolen Petroleum Products

In a coordinated effort, troops of the 6 Division, along with other security agencies, have…

34 minutes ago

Man Arrested Over Alleged N220,000 Debt Dies in Kwara Police Custody

Kwara  State Police Command has announced a discreet investigation into the sudden death of 35-year-old…

55 minutes ago