The federal high court in Lagos has ordered the final
forfeiture of the sums of $16,500 and N127 million diverted from the coffers of
the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had
sought the interim forfeiture of the funds diverted from NIMASA through an ex
parte application.
On May 23, 2024, Kehinde Ogundare, the presiding judge,
ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and ordered the EFCC to publish
details of the funds in national newspapers, so that interested parties can
provide reasons why the funds should not be forfeited to the federal
government.
In the affidavit submitted by the EFCC, the agency said the
NIMASA funds were diverted through one Uche Obilor, his companies and other
cronies.
“The funds sought to
be forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful acts of diversion
of funds from the treasury of NIMASA, through Mr. Uche Obilor, his companies
and other cronies,” the agency said.
“That during the course of investigation, the total sum of
$16,500 USD cash, was recovered by the Commission, part of the funds diverted
from the treasury of NIMASA.
“And that for using his companies as mentioned above, Mr.
Uche Obilor, upon invitation to the Commission during the course of
investigation, agreed to return the sum of N118 million, admittedly received
and retained by his companies from the funds fraudulently converted from the
treasury of NIMASA.”
At the court sitting on Monday, Suleiman Suleiman, counsel
to the anti-graft agency, said EFCC had recovered $16,500 in cash and N118
million from Obilor and his companies.
“Pursuant to your lordship’s order made on May 23, 2024, the
publication of the order was made on June 6, 2024 of Punch newspaper,” EFCC
counsel said.
“The said application is supported by a 22-paragraph
affidavit deposed to by Oghare Ogbole, an investigator with the EFCC.
“We respectfully adopt the same and pray the court to grant
all the reliefs sought.”
There was no interested party at the hearing.
After listening to the EFCC counsel, Ogundare granted the
order sought by the anti-graft agency.
The funds were said to have been diverted under Patrick
Akpobolokemi, then director-general of NIMASA, who was appointed by former
President Goodluck Jonathan.
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