Crime

EFCC: Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Army General’s N426.7m

By Ibrahim Bakare

Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, May 8, 2020, ordered the final forfeiture of the sum of N426.7m belonging to Brig.-Gen. John Onimisi Ozigi (retd.) to the Federal Government.

The Judge had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the money following an exparte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Joined as respondents are Diamond Head Ventures and Dev. Company Ltd.

In granting the interim forfeiture order, the Judge directed interested parties to show cause why the sum of money should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

In press Statement by Dele Oyewale, the Head, Media & Publicity and made available to our Correspondent, the Commission, in an affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Clever Ibrahim, stated that the first respondent, Ozigi, was an officer of the Nigerian Army, while the second respondent, Diamond Head Venture, was a business name owned and incorporated by the first respondent.

The Commission, in the application, also stated that the first respondent, was a salary earner and a public officer with an estimated monthly salary of about N750. 000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

The EFCC, through its lawyer, Nkereuwem Anana, further stated that the money was found in an account opened in the name of the first and second respondents.

Anana, while moving the application for final forfeiture of the money, stated that the first respondent, in his statement to the Commission, indicated willingness to refund the money to the Federal Government, adding that the said statement was attached as exhibit 3.

The EFCC counsel, therefore, urged the court to grant the final forfeiture of the money, saying that “ if made, it will serve the course of justice, as same is sought in good faith and in accordance with the Oaths Act.”

Delivering his judgement on Friday, Justice Hassan granted the motion for final forfeiture as prayed by the Commission.

The Judge held that the respondent failed to satisfy the court with concrete evidence why the money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.

” The application has met the conditions stipulated in Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Related Offences Act.

“The application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed”

0 0 votes
Article Rating
towncrierng

Recent Posts

Activist slams Obasa: Warns against provoking Lagos unrest

    Dr. Wale Ajewunmi, a prominent civil and political rights activist, has urged former…

6 days ago

Lagos Assembly fires back: Obasa’s impeachment stands

  The Lagos State House of Assembly has firmly responded to former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s…

6 days ago

Rivers: Supreme Court Fixes February 10 To Hear Five Cases

  The Supreme Court, today, fixed February 10, 2025, for the hearing of five separate…

1 week ago

Wike, God’s sent to FCT – Etsu Kwali

By Philip Yatai Mr Luka Nizassan, Etsu Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital…

1 week ago

Impeached Lagos Speaker Obasa arrives in Abuja

  Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, reportedly…

1 week ago

Rivers Governor To New CP: Don’t Attend Nocturnal Meetings To Declare War On Rivers

  ...Urges CP to tackle kidnapping, cultism Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has advised…

2 weeks ago