Court grants EFCC leave for interim forfeiture of ex-Gov Aliyu’s assets

The Federal High Court in Minna presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leave for the interim seizure of some assets belonging to the former Niger state Governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu which are within the jurisdiction of the court. Daily Trust reports that Aliyu is standing trial alongside a former Commissioner of Environment, Parks and Gardens, Umar Nasko, on an eight-count charge of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The two are accused of laundering ecological funds of over N1.940billion released by the Federal Government to the state in 2014. The EFFC through its Counsel, Prince Ben Ikani SAN, had in an expaarte motion dated 19 June 2018 and filed on 26 June, prayed the court for an order granting it interim forfeiture of some of the property belonging to the former Governor. In its ruling on the motion on 27 June, the court granted the Commission’s request on the mater. In the order obtained by Daily Trust on Tuesday in Minna, the court granted the EFFC leave for interim forfeiture of two Duplex along Peter Sarki street Minna, belonging to former Governor pending the hearing and determination of the criminal suit against him in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/71/2017. “That an order of this court is hereby made granting the chairman of the commission or any of his officers as authorized by him for interim forfeiture of a farm land containing 12 rooms chalet and four resort building located at Birgi Minna, Niger State belonging to Dr. Mu’azu Babaginda Aliyu former Governor of Niger State pending the determination of the suit against him. “That an order of the court is hereby mad granting the chairman of the commission or any officer authorized by him of interim forfeiture of one Toyota Prado Jeep, one Lexus Jeep and two Land Cruiser Jeeps belonging to Dr, Mu’azu Babaginda Aliyu former Governor of Niger State acquired from proceeds of unlawful act and diversion of public funds pending the hearing and determination of the criminal charge him against him.” The court also granted the commission leave for the interim forfeiture of the sum of N57 million recovered from Umar Nasko who is the second defendant in the case to be paid into the commission recovery account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).]]>