Banana Island is one place that many Lagosians will want to live, as it is often talked about as one of the most cosy environment to live in.
But there is a house there that the Federal Government has interest in. The government alleges that the house was acquired with alleged stolen money.
Also, there is an amount of money the government is saying the individual stole.
The owner of that house and is about to forfeit it to the Federal Government.
On Monday, a Federal High Court in Lagos State granted an order of interim forfeiture of the sum of 725 million Naira and property located in the Banana Island area of Ikoyi, Lagos.
The agency that brought the matter to court claimed they were allegedly diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
They are to be temporary forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Purchased With Illegal Activity
Justice Tijjani Ringim of Federal High Court in Lagos gave the order following an exparte application filed and argued by Bilkisu Buhari, a counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006 and Section 44(2b) of the 1999 Constitution.
EFCC has linked the money and property to belong to Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former NIMASA Director-General.
Bilikisu Buhari testified before the court that the property at Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, was also reasonably suspected to have been purchased with proceeds of illegal activity.
Also, he said that the sum of 725.3 million Naira was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of illegal activity.
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In addition, Buhari requested that the interim forfeiture order be published by the EFCC in a national newspaper so that “anyone with an interest in the properties sought to be forfeited may appear before the honourable court”
The person is required to bring forward a cause within 14 days to show why the final forfeiture order of the said properties should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Granting the application, Justice Ringim said: “I have listened to the submission of counsel and perused the affidavit in support of the application together with exhibits.
“I find that this statutory application has substance, so it is granted as requested”.
