Ex permanent Secretary To Forfeit N664m, $137,680.11 To FG
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered permanently the forfeiture of the sums of N664 million and $137,680.11 allegedly linked to a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of labour and Productivity Dr Clement Illoj Onubuogo.
Justice Saliu Seidu made the order following an application to that effect by the counsel to the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had on April 3rd, 2017 arraigned Illoh, before Justice Babs Kuewumi of the same court on a three-count charge bordering on failure to declare his assets and fraud.
However, when the civil case filed by the anti-graft agency against the former top civil servant resumed on Tuesday before Justice Seidu, his counsel, Tom Awana informed the court that his client wanted to withdraw his two pending applications
Awana said one of the applications is challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the other for discharge of the earlier order of the court granting the interim for forfeiture of the assets in question.
The lawyer stated that due to ongoing discussion between his client and the EFCC on the need to settle the case out of court, he would be withdrawing the two applications.
Oyedepo confirmed the position and did not oppose the withdrawals of the two applications.
Oyedepo informed the court that based on the discussion and agreement reached between the parties, EFCC would be applying for the discharge of an earlier interim order of the court as regards two of the properties being sought to be forfeited to the government.
The properties are Clement Illoh’s Mansion located at Ikom Quarters, Issala Azegba, Delta State and the property lying and situates at number 19 Madue Nwafor Street off Achala Ibuzor Road, Asaba Delta State.
He then urge the court to discharge the earlier order of the court as regards the two properties only.
Awana did not oppose the application which paved the way for EFCC to move the motion for the final forfeiture of the other properties said to be proceeds of illegal act.
In moving the application for final forfeiture of the properties, Oyedepo submitted that, ‘in view of the discussion with the defendant we want to move the motion of the 5th of September,2017 wherein we are seeking the final forfeiture of the properties listed in prayers 1,2,3 and 4.’
He also stressed that the motion was brought pursuant to section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act number 14, 2014.
The lawyer therefore urged the court to grant their application for the final forfeiture of the properties as contain in prayers 1,2,3 and 4 in the face of the motion papers..
The application was not opposed by the defendant.
Justice Saliu Saidu consequently granted the application ordering the defendant to forfeit the sum of N437,348,181.16 found by EFCC in possession of Onuogo which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
The court also order the final forfeiture of another N97,300.613.44 found by the commission in the defendant’s account.
The defendant was also ordered to forfeit another sum of N129,826,452.00 found by the commission in possession of Salisu Bala Kura, John Isakwa Kanku, Ahmed Mahmud Muazu, Muktar Safian, Udoh Nnamdi, Umar Bello Mashi, Salogu Karo, Usman Bello, Ahmed Mohammed Makki, Umar Abubakar, Aliyu Abubakar and Enape Victoria.
Onubuogo was also ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government the sum of $137, 680.11
The EFCC had alleged that the accused person failed to disclose the sum of N97, 300, 613.44 Million, (Ninety Seven Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Forty-four Kobo) found in his account.
He also allegedly warehoused the sum of $139, 575. 50 USD, (One Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy-Five United States Dollars, Fifty Cent) and £10, 121.52, (Ten Thousand One Hundred and Twenty-one Pounds) respectively in his account.
The offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 23(3)(c) of the Financial Crimes Commission (Establish) Act .
The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
