JUST-IN: COURT ORDERS FORFEITURE OF 14 ABUJA, LAGOS, AND UAE PROPERTIES CONNECTED TO KOGI GOV.

On Wednesday, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos issued a provisional forfeiture order for 14 properties connected to Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, situated in Lagos, Abuja, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The N400 million purportedly obtained from one Aminu Falala and related to the State was also ordered to be seized by Judge Oweibo.

After considering an ex-parte application presented to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the judge issued the instructions (EFCC).

The properties, including the one in the world’s tallest structure, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, were allegedly reasonably suspected of having been obtained from illegal acts, according to EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who was presenting the motion.

Oyedepo further disclosed to the court that the N400 million was meant to purchase Plot No. 1224 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, and that it was logically presumed to have come from an illegal operation.

However, the judge instructed the anti-graft organization to publicize the ruling within 14 days so that any interested parties might provide justification for why the forfeiture order should not be made permanent.

Details to Come