Posted by On Monday, Tijjani Ringim, a judge on the Lagos State Federal High Court, issued an interim forfeiture order for N725,345,897.77 and Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, which were allegedly diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
After hearing an ex parte motion from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attorney Bilkisu Buhari, Justice Ringim granted the order.
Even as he established a connection between the money and the property and Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former director general of NIMASA, Buhari informed the court that it was logically presumed that they had been acquired with proceeds of illegal activity.
The attorney also requested that the interim order be published by the EFCC in a national newspaper so that “anyone interested in the properties sought to be forfeited may appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties should not be made in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”. “.
The application was approved, and Justice Ringim stated, “I have heard the submission of counsel and have read the affidavit in support of the application together with exhibits.
“This statutory application is granted as requested because I find it to be meritorious. “