Two firms challenge forfeiture of Kola Aluko’s $73m, N350m properties

A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till November 21, to hear applications by two firms seeking to challenge the forfeiture of three landed properties in Lagos and Abuja belonging to Mr Kola Aluko.

Aluko is an ally of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke.

Justice Mohammed Liman fixed the date to enable Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, respond to the applications.

Oyedepo told the judge that he had only just been served the applications by Aluko’s counsel, Quadri Aderogba and another lawyer, Ammed O. Ammed, who said he represented parties seeking to be joined to the suit.

Justice Liman on October 22 ordered the interim forfeiture of Aluko’s properties following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC.

The properties are Plot 3389 and Plot 3390, House 2, Margaret Thatcher Close, Asokoro Cadastral Zone, Abuja; as well as Avenue Towers, Plot 1391, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The judge also directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper.

He adjourned till November on Tuesday for anyone interested in the properties to appear before him to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter, Oyedepo informed the court of his agency’s compliance with the order regarding newspaper publication.

He said he had also been served with different applications from Aluko’s lawyer, Aderogba and Ammed.

Ammed told the court that he was representing Trelou Investment Incorporation and RMCG Development Ltd, adding that his application was challenging the court’s jurisdiction on the matter.

On his part, Aderogba told the court that his application was a preliminary objection to the interim order.

But, Oyedepo, who prayed for a short adjournment to enable him respond to the applications, said the court only adjourned for interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, not applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

Justice Liman upheld his application and adjourned till November 21, for hearing of all applications.

According to the EFCC, Plot 3389 and Plot 3390 in Abuja were purchased for N350m and $18 million, respectively, while the Lagos property was bought for $55million.

It said the funds used to procure the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Oyedepo told the judge that Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 2016 empowered the court to make such a forfeiture order.