Court Refuses To Grant Forfeiture Of Saraki's Ikoyi Houses
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Monday, declined to make permanent, the interim order it made forfeiting former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki’s properties in Lagos to the Federal Government.
The interim order was made at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.
The EFCC had, through its counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, prayed the court to make permanent, the order forfeiting Senator Saraki’s properties at No. 17 and 17B Macdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC had contended that the properties were acquired illegally with funds belonging to Kwara State Government. However, Senator Saraki, through his counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, raised a preliminary objection in opposition to the suit.
The application was argued on March 5, 2020, and the court adjourned for the ruling.
In his ruling, yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Hassan Liman, held that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
The court further held that the evidence before the court was to the effect that Senator Saraki acquired the properties in issue with a loan from a bank (Name withheld) and not illegal or unlawful funds or funds belonging to Kwara State Government.
The court further held that there was no evidence before the court linking the loan repayments made by Senator Saraki to funds belonging to Kwara State Government. Therefore, there was no basis for ordering the forfeiture of the properties.
The court held that given the inconsistencies and contradictions in the affidavits deposed to and relied upon by EFCC, it could not make a forfeiture order in favour of EFCC. Hence, the proper course of action would be to order the witnesses of the EFCC to give oral evidence to clarify the said contradictions.
The Court accordingly adjourned further hearing in the matter to September 29, 2020, for EFCC to call its witnesses.
