News

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Army General’s N426.7Million

Matilda Omonaiye/

Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of the sum of N426.7million belonging to retired Brig.-Gen. John Onimisi Ozigi to the Federal Government.

The Judge had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the money following an ex-parte 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.

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.

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 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
Dipo

Dipo Kehinde is an accomplished Nigerian journalist, artist, and designer with over 34 years experience. More info on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipo-kehinde-8aa98926

Recent Posts

Anti-Graft DG Resigns after Setting the World on Fire with High Profile Serial Sexcapades in Equatorial Guinea

Matilda Omonaiye/ The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar…

6 hours ago

Aquitane Oil & Gas Accuses Zenith Bank of Forgery, Alleges ₦1.4 Billion Dividend Theft, Unauthorized Sale of Collateral Shares

Segun Atanda/ In a scandal shaking Nigeria’s financial sector, Aquitane Oil & Gas Ltd., a…

9 hours ago

Quincy Jones: Legendary American Music Producer behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller Dies at 91

Segun Atanda with AP/ After a career spanning 70 years, Quincy Delight Jones, Jr., the…

2 days ago

Tinubu’s Team Hits Atiku, Defends Economic Reforms

Segun Atanda/ The presidency has hit back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dismissing his…

2 days ago

UN in Nigeria: Charting a Path Towards a Brighter Future

By Mohamed Malick Fall/ The indescribable destruction caused by the first and second world wars…

2 days ago

Kemi Badenoch Becomes UK Conservative Party’s First Black Leader

Segun Atanda/ Kemi Badenoch has been elected the new UK Conservative leader. The former business…

4 days ago