The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an application before the Federal High Court in Abuja, noting that the 57 properties allegedly linked to a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC, in a motion on notice for final forfeiture of the property noted that the respondents had failed to place sufficient evidence before the court to warrant the court to vacate the earlier interim order.
According to the motion, the ex-AGF, Malami, Bashir Asabe, Abiru’ Rahman Abubakar Malami, Rayhaan Bustan and Agro Allied Ltd, Mountain View Gold and Jewellery Ltd, Amasdul Oil and Gas Ltd, Azbir Arena Nigeria Ltd, Meethaq Hotels Ltd are respondents in the suit.
The application was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.
While giving six grounds why the application should be granted, the commission submitted that the court has the statutory powers under the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, to grant the reliefs being sought, noting that it is a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture proceeding.
According to EFCC, the properties sought to be attached and forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC listed the 57 multi-billion naira landed properties located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna States, including temporary and permanent sites of Rayhaan University in Kebbi.
Justice Abdulmalik had fixed April 21 for the hearing of the commission’s motion.
Justice Emeka Nwite, had, on January 6, ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities to the Federal Government.
The judge made the order following an ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Iheanacho,
directing the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested person(s) to show cause, within 14 days, why all the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case was, however, reassigned to Justice Obiora Egwuatu after the vacation ended but Egwuatu recused himself from the matter, citing personal reasons and in the interest of justice, before it was reassigned to Abdulmalik.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
