A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of 14 properties in Lagos, Abuja, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) linked to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Following an ex parte motion filed and argued by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, in suit FHC/L/CS/301/2023, Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted the order.
Oyedepo informed the judge that the properties, including one in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, were reasonably suspected to be the result of illegal activity.
Justice Oweibo also authorized the EFCC to seize N400 million, which was also linked to the State and recovered from one Aminu Falala.
Oyedepo also told the court that the N400m was likely derived from illegal activity and “intended to be used for the acquisition of Plot No. 1224 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.”
The judge also ordered the EFCC to publish the order within 14 days so that any interested party could demonstrate why the forfeiture order should not be made permanent.