A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday ordered the temporary forfeiture of two properties belonging to former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
The forfeiture of the properties located in Ikoyi area of Lagos State followed the interim order sought to that effect by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The anti-graft agency, through its counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, said the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Part of the reliefs sought by EFCC reads: “An order of this honourable Court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria landed property with appurtenances situate, lying and known as No. 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State found and recovered from the respondent which property is reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.”
The EFCC accused Saraki of withdrawing the sum of 12 billion from the account of Kwara State, and deposited it in two accounts when he was governor of the state.
He was said to have carried out the act through one Abdul Adama who was said to be his personal assistant.
While ruling in favour of the forfeiture of the properties, Justice Mohammed Liman directed the EFCC to publish the order in a nation newspaper within 14 days.
That, he said, was to enable anyone who might have interest in the property to show cause why they should not be forfeited finally.
