A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of 14 properties in “choice areas” of Abuja which were allegedly traced to the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, and his son Shamsuddeen.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba granted the interim forfeiture order following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had stated in the application that both the former Minister Mohammed, and his son “have denied ownership and connections” traced to them.
But the commission maintained that “preliminary investigation revealed that the properties listed on the schedule were unlawfully acquired through corrupt practices by the former minister and his son while in office as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”
The judge also granted an order “directing the publication of a notice” in a newspaper and the EFCC’s website inviting all persons/bodies who may have interests in the said properties to show cause why the said properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Ben Ikani, while applying for the court orders on Wednesday, said: “We have an ex parte application for an interim order of forfeiture. The motion is dated September 6, 2017 and filed the same day. We are also praying for an order directing the publication of the notice in a newspaper. The list of the properties is in the schedule attached.”
Justice Dimgba granted the order prayed by the EFCC, which had earlier earlier confiscated the forfeited properties located in “choice areas” of Abuja