Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of $16,500 and N127 million fraudulently diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The order, issued on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, follows an interim forfeiture ruling on May 23, 2024, in response to a motion ex parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC’s counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, invoked Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006, and Section 44 (2)(B) of the Nigerian Constitution to seek the interim forfeiture.
Upon granting the interim order, Justice Ogundare mandated the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
During the resumed hearing on Monday, Suleiman presented evidence that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts. He stated that the EFCC recovered $16,500 in cash and N118 million from Uche Obilor and his companies. Suleiman further highlighted the publication of the interim order in the Punch newspaper on June 6, 2024.
The affidavit filed by the EFCC detailed the investigation’s findings, revealing that the funds were diverted from NIMASA’s treasury through Mr. Uche Obilor, his companies, and associates. It confirmed the recovery of $16,500 in cash and N118 million returned by Obilor, who admitted to receiving the funds fraudulently.
No interested parties appeared in court to contest the interim order. After reviewing the EFCC’s submission, Justice Ogundare granted the final forfeiture order as requested.
