The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered a final forfeiture of several assets, including N335 million, a hospital, and five filling stations, among others, to the federal government.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved the motion to that effect. The judge held that the lawyer’s application was meritorious and accordingly granted it.
“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and reviewed the affidavits in support of the motion. I am of the view that this application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” said the judge.
The anti-graft agency had filed the motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2024. The motion was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
The EFCC, in its affidavit in support, deposed to by Tahiru Ahmed, one of its officials, averred that the forfeiture motion fell within the court’s jurisdiction. The official stated that on August 13, 2024, the court made an order for interim forfeiture of the property listed in the schedules to the application.
The court had ordered EFCC to publish the assets in any national daily and on its website, inviting all persons or bodies who might have an interest in the said property to show cause why they should not be finally forfeited to the federal government.
“The said orders of the court were complied with, and the publication was made in Punch newspapers on the 4th of September, 2024,” he stated.
Mr Ahmed stated that since the publication of the interim order of forfeiture, no one had come forward to express interest in the said property. He said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the final forfeiture application, “as no person will be prejudiced in any way.”
The affected assets, which were alleged to be proceeds of unlawful activities, are listed below.
1. Duplex (No. Bo/12340, Maiduguri, Borno State)
2. Residential apartments (Plot No. 12, Equilibrium Estate; No. 7, Cadastral Zone DO2, Karsana District, Abuja; Plot No. 12 of 820.99 square meters)
3. Plot of land (Plot No. 3, Dakibiyu District, Cadastral Zone B10, Abuja, FCT)
4. Plot of land (Plot No. 136 on 600 sqm, B TP/177, Ibrahim Taiwo Estate, Maiduguri, Borno State)
5. Plot of land (Plot No. NS 11416, measuring 100×50 sqm, Ado Karu LGA, Nasarawa State)
6. Farmland (50 hectares, Plot No. FL-867, Gaube Farmland Ext 11 Layout)
7. 4.8 hectares of land (a plot measuring about 4.8 hectares along Mal Oke State Primary School, Dakwa Town area, Tafa LGA, Niger)
8. Plots of land (Plot No. NE/2111, No. 10/12 Mungono Street, Wulari, Maiduguri, Borno State; consisting of 1,749.17 sqm marked with beacons B.4605, B.4604, B.6532, and B.6531)
9. Plots of land (Plot Nos. YB/9516, PBY/719, PBY/7140, PBY/7141, and PBY/7142)
10. Galaxy Hospital (Plot No. Bo/12340, Bolori Layout, Maiduguri, Borno State)
11. Private residence (Plot No. 13426, measuring approximately 155/m², Mararaba Gurku, Karu LGA)
12. Filling station (Chabbal Village, Borno State)
13. Petroleum filling station (Km 33-650m along Kaduna Zaria Express Road, Kaduna State)
14. Petroleum filling station (Mogaramti along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Borno State)
15. Petroleum filling station (Chabal Village, Konduga Local Government, Borno State)
16. Petroleum filling station (99, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, Maiduguri, Borno State)
17. Four-bedroom terrace duplex (No. 36-04, BuildOptions Apartment Phase 36, Plot 1244, Guzape District, Abuja, FCT)
18. 10 hectares of land (Proposed filling station, Baga-Maimalari Barrack Road, Maiduguri, Borno State)
Bank accounts and balances attached for final forfeiture are listed below.
1. Galaxy Transportation and Communication Service Ltd (N281,455,454)
2. Galaxy Computing and Electronics Service Ltd (₦6,977,195.00)
3. Galaxy Energy Int’l Concept Ltd (N1,240,588)
4. Galaxy Transport & Construct Service (Zero balance)
5. Galaxy Intercontinental Miners Concept Ltd (Zero balance)
6. Galaxy Superstores & Pharmacy (Zero balance)
7. Galaxy Transportation & Construction S. (₦43,705,469.55)
8. Abba Babagana Dalori (Zero balance)
9. Galaxy Transportation & Construction (Zero balance)
(NAN)
