Court Orders Forfeiture Of Five Properties Linked To Ex-Power Minister

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of five additional properties linked to convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman.

Naija News reports that Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Thursday while ruling on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court ordered the permanent forfeiture of Walijam Apartments at No. 43 Plot 435, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Justice Omotosho held that the EFCC established during trial that Mamman acquired the property with unlawfully obtained funds.

The judge also ordered the interim forfeiture of four other properties, including Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna, two mansions on Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, and A.U.A Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

He said the EFCC had yet to fully establish Mamman’s ownership or interest in the four properties.

Justice Omotosho directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days.

The publication will allow interested parties to appear before the court and show cause why the properties should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge rejected the argument of Mamman’s lawyer, Femi Atteh, SAN, that the court no longer had jurisdiction after sentencing the former minister.

He held that Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act empowers the court to issue restitution orders after conviction.

EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed, said the court had found that Mamman diverted N22bn, while the commission had recovered less than N2bn so far.