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Tag: Court

  • Court adjourns Ali Bello, co-defendant’s case until Oct. 7

    Court adjourns Ali Bello, co-defendant’s case until Oct. 7

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged money laundering case against Ali Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman until Oct. 7 for continuation of trial.

    Justice James Omotosho on Tuesday adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had called seven witnesses to prove the 10-count amended charge preferred against the duo.

    While Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appeared for the EFCC, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, and Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, represented Bello and Suleiman respectively.

    In the amended charge, the EFCC accused the defendants of diverting money belonging to the Kogi State government.

    Read Also: Imo guber: Appeal Court judgment mere distraction – Anyanwu

    The anti-graft agency said the alleged offence contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 201.

    In other charges, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleiman were alleged to have concealed several millions of naira with one Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau De Change operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against them by the EFCC.

    Justice Omotoso ordered that the defendants should continue to enjoy the bail conditions granted them in the previous charge.

  • Emir crisis: Court permanently restrains Ado-Bayero, four others from acting as monarchs

    Emir crisis: Court permanently restrains Ado-Bayero, four others from acting as monarchs

    • Emirs to hand over emirates artifacts to Kano govt, Sanusi

    The Kano State High Court 17 yesterday ordered deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, and the four other dethroned first class Emirs, to hand over all the emirate‘s traditional royal artefacts to the government or the reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II, with immediate effect.

    Justice Amina Aliyu also restrained Bayero and the dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs in Kano.

    The Kano State government had filed a suitcase asking the State High Court to stop the 15th Emir (Bayero), who was sacked alongside the four other first class emirs, from reclaiming their former positions.

    The government also gave the deposed emirs 48 hours to vacate their palaces from the time of their dethronement.

    The court yesterday agreed with the plaintiff that the deposed monarchs are no longer emirs, having agreed that Muhammadu Sanusi II is the substantive Emir of Kano.

    The judge also held that the new Emirate Council (Repealed) Law 2024 reenacted by the House of Assembly was done according to the law as enshrined in Section 4 of the Constitution.

    She also ruled that Governor Abba Yusuf gave assent to the emirate law perfectly according to the Constitution.

    However, Justice Amina Aliyu ruled that the issue of evicting the deposed Aminu Bayero from the Nassarawa Palace where he currently stays is ‘a Rent Tribunal matter’.

    Recall that Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano Emirate Council Bill (2024) into law after repealing the Kano Emirate Law (2019) which created four additional emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano, bringing the emirates to five.

    The creation of five emirates by the past administration of Abdullahi Ganduje was later followed by the dethronement and banishment of the 14th Emir, Muhammad Sanusi II.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Fed govt to introduce amendment to 2024 Budget – FEC

    Aminu Ado-Bayero was then installed as the 15th Emir and chairman of the five emirate council.

    However, with the sack of the five emirs and abolishment of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya emirates by the new law which recognises a mono (united) Kano emirate, Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.

    But the deposed Bayero and others are challenging the government’s action at the Federal High Court.

  • Court orders firm to refund customer over faulty generator

    Court orders firm to refund customer over faulty generator

    The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Kuje has ordered M. Saleh & Co. Ltd to refund N3.95 million and pay N10million in damages for breach of contract to Mr. Celestine Unini.

    Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu held that the damages were for supplying Unini with a faulty and dysfunctional generator.

    Unini, a businessman operating a provisions store in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, approached M. Saleh & Co. Ltd in December 2021 to purchase a brand new 22.5 KVA Perkins soundproof generator.

    The generator was intended to serve as an alternative power source for his store and to ensure that perishable goods in refrigerators remained fresh during power outages.

    Unini paid N3.95 million for the generator, which was delivered and installed by the defendant’s engineers on December 3, 2021.

    However, just weeks after the initial installation and testing, the generator began to malfunction, failing to power on when needed.

    Unini reported the issue to M. Saleh & Co, which sent its technicians to repair the generator on multiple occasions between December 2021 and March 2022.

    Despite these repairs and servicing, the generator remained dysfunctional and unfit for its intended purpose.

    Frustrated by the situation, Unini, through his lawyer, Ikogwe Ikechukwu Eugene of Ikogwe Ikechukwu and Associates, wrote to M. Saleh & Co. on May 30, 2022, and demanded that the company should either replace the faulty generator with a new, flawless unit or refund the purchase price.

    The defendant failed to comply with this demand, prompting Unini e to file a lawsuit.

    Read Also: Oba, Enigie dispute: Security deployed security men in Edo High Court

    Saleh & Co. argued that the generator’s failure was due to a lack of diesel and the use of adulterated diesel, but failed to prove these assertions with credible evidence, such as diagnostic analyses or laboratory reports.

    Justice Nwecheonwu found that the plaintiff had proved his case, and demonstrated with credible evidence that M. Saleh & Co. had supplied a faulty and dysfunctional generator, which constitutes a breach of contract.

    The court ordered the company to refund the sum of N3.95 million to Unini, being the purchase price of the defective generator as special damages.

    The court awarded N10 million in favour of Unini and against M. Saleh & Co as general damages for breach of contract.

    The judgment and monetary damages awarded provide Unini with a measure of relief and compensation for the financial losses and inconveniences that he suffered occasioned by the faulty generator sold to him by M. Saleh & Co.

    The case may also inspire other consumers to take legal action against companies that fail to deliver on their promises or sell sub-standard products.

    The judgment reaffirms the court’s role as the ultimate guardian of justice, protecting the oppressed and those wronged by unjust practices.

  • BREAKING: Alleged 33.8b fraud: Court sends ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to prison

    BREAKING: Alleged 33.8b fraud: Court sends ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to prison

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman be remanded in Kuje prison in Abuja pending the consideration of his bail application.

    Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Thursday, July 11, after Mamman was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering offences.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following which the prosecuting lawyer, Olumide Fusika (SAN) sought a date for the commencement of trial.

    Lawyer to the defendant, Femi Ate (SAN) said he filed a bail application shortly before the court resumed sitting.

    Although Fusika admitted being served with the bail application around 12:30 pm, Justice Omotosho noted that the application was not yet in the court’s file.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Appeal Court upholds APC’s Ododo’s election as Kogi governor

    In reaction, Ate prayed to be allowed to return the next day to argue the bail application, which request Fusika did not oppose.

    The judge then adjourned till Friday, July 12, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje correctional centre.

    The defendant, who his lawyer said is ill, looked dejected while stepping off the dock, shortly after the judge’s pronouncement.

    Details shortly…

  • Court rejects suit seeking to remove Obong of Calabar

    Court rejects suit seeking to remove Obong of Calabar

    The High Court of Cross River state, presided by Justice Elias Abua, has thrown out a suit which sought an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain and remove the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V.

    Justice Abua said that giving such orders without any tangible reason would do “incalculable and avoidable damage” to such an exalted office.

    The suit is spearheaded by some Efik leaders, Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, Etubom Okon Asuquo and Etubom Micah Archibong, who incidentally were members of the 15-man Etubom Conclave that selected and proclaimed Edidem Abasi-Otu V as Obong of Calabar, in 2008, 2012 and 2013.

    The suit is coming about a year after the Supreme Court gave judgment in favour of the monarch in a suit instituted by a contender to the throne and former finance minister, Etubom Anthony Ani, who sought Edidem Abasi-Otu’s removal.

    The claimants in the recent suit are curiously believed to have defected to Etubom Ani’s camp, after having reaffirmed the election of Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V on three different occasions over the last 16 years.

    Sources at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar alleged that the said claimants may have been fronting for Etubom Ani who they declared Obong-elect last year.

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    The recent case, which had suit No: HC/278/2023, has Edidem Abasi-Otu V, Ntiero Edem Offiong Efiwat, Edem Ita Essien Ededem, Government of Cross River State and Attorney General of Cross River State as defendants.

    Justice Abua, in his ruling, dated June 25, 2024, rejected the prayers of the claimants and noted “Application on Notice for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the 1st defendant (Edidem Abasi-Otu) from presenting himself for selection or parading himself as the Obong -elect or Obong of Calabar or performing any such functions of the office of the Obong of Calabar is not granted.

    “The office of the Obong of Calabar is so highly revered throughout this State and beyond that for an order of injunction to be made restraining anyone from occupying it, the order must be manifestly shown to be deserved by cogent, positive and irrefutable evidence of witnesses that no one is left in doubt the firm ground upon which the decision is predicated.

    “I believe that an incalculable and avoidable damage would be done to that office by this Court if it holds, at this stage, that either party is entitled to the reliefs and counter claims placed before this court when no evidence has been tendered by either side. The facts of this case lend themselves more to the position that the status quo be maintained.

    “It is in the light of the above reasoning that I will refuse the invitation extended to me to make the orders prayed for here and hold that the status quo be maintained.”

    The Court also rejected the claimants’ prayer to restrain the 4th defendant (Government of Cross River state) from “disrupting, hindering, questioning, harassing, intimidating the claimants/applicants and their associates, association and assembly.”

  • Court rejects EEDC’s request for interlocutory order against southeast customers

    Court rejects EEDC’s request for interlocutory order against southeast customers

    A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on Wednesday, July 10, refused to grant an order seeking to stop some electricity customers under the auspices of the Southeast Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) from interfering in the affairs of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    The EEDC through their counsel, O.O Agbo had dragged some members of the Southeast Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) to court seeking an interlocutory injunction to stop the members from inciting other consumers against it. Also joined in the suit is the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

    While praying the court to grant the injunction, counsel to EEDC, Agbo told the court that the defendants through their platform were asking people in the Southeast not to pay their electricity bills.

    Read Also: ECOWAS Court says Nigeria violated citizens’ rights during 2020 Lekki toll gate protest

    Agbo said they were not sure of the next step the defendants would take, alleging that the defendants were harassing his client.

    But counsel to the SEECA, Frank Obiakor argued that some of the defenders were not served, a development that forced Agbo to apply for withdrawal of the 1st and 5th defendants.

    After listening to the motion on notice and counter affidavit of the counsels, Justice M.J Umar refused to grant the injunction and adjourned the matter to 26th September, 22024.

    Reacting to the judgment, the chairman of SEECA, Okechukwu Obioha commended the judge for the fair ruling and for refusing to grant the order.

    He called on all electricity consumers in the Southeast to listen to the information that SEECA is giving them and educate them on their rights and obligations.

    He urged them to still insist on the installation of prepared meters before further payment of their bills and called on all estimated and bulk billing customers to insist that EEDC refund them for the overbilling as directed by NERC.

  • Court fixes July 15 to rule on suit against Lagos pastor

    Court fixes July 15 to rule on suit against Lagos pastor

    Magistrate Antoinette Dirisu of the Magistrate Court in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, has fixed July 15, to rule on the case between the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and Jude Ojo, a Pastor of the RCCG.

    The clergyman faces a three-count charge brought by the police, including conspiracy, perversion of the course of justice, and aiding the escape of suspects who allegedly threatened the life of High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, a traditional ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos.

    At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, July 9, the defense counsel, M.A. Alo, drew the court’s attention to publications of the court proceedings, which she alleged were sponsored by the complainant.

    She said: “My Lord, I want to call the attention of the court to publications of the court proceedings that were sponsored by the complainant. I have spoken with the prosecutor to speak to his client to discontinue further publications but he didn’t. The publication is aimed at embarrassing the defendant as it was shared by the complainant on various social media platforms.”

    Read Also: How Emefiele moved millions to wife, by witness

    Alo also submitted printed copies of the alleged publication to the court for vetting. 

    Directing her inquiries to the prosecutor, John Iveredem, the Magistrate asked, are you aware about these publications?

    She quizzed further, “My name was boldly written on it. Do you know the implication of this? I am adjourning this matter to July 15 and any further publication on this matter, I am going to have your client locked up.”

    The counsel to the complainant, M.O Sanusi told the court that his client has no knowledge about the said publications.

    He said: “My client does not own the press. He didn’t sponsor any publications at least none to the best of my knowledge.”

    Meanwhile, there was a mild drama within the court premises as the trio of the defendant, Jude Ojo, Saliu Azeez and Segun Ojebode reportedly initiated verbal attack on Nigerian Tribune’s journalist for reporting the proceedings.

    One of them said: “How much are you paid to report this? You have been recording and reporting  the court proceedings. Why can’t you identify yourself in the court. You better stop reporting or you will have yourself to blame.”

  • How my husband’s apprentice stabbed me multiple times, victim tells court

    How my husband’s apprentice stabbed me multiple times, victim tells court

    A Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has heard testimony from Lateefa Oyetunde, who recounted how her husband’s apprentice, Nureni Kazeem, allegedly stabbed her multiple times.

    In her testimony before Justice Yetunde Adesanya during the ongoing trial of Kazeem, who is charged by the Lagos State government, Oyetunde detailed her ordeal.

    Led in evidence by the state counsel, Mr. Olayemi Shofolu, Oyetunde, a 33-year-old trader (soft drinks wholesaler and POS operator), told the court that the incident occurred late in the evening on October 4, 2022, around 11:30 pm to midnight while she was asleep.

    She narrated that she felt a stab in her stomach, opened her eyes, and saw the defendant, Kazeem, whose face was partially covered with a regular black hat he wears to work. 

    According to her, in an attempt to defend herself, she knocked off his cap, revealing his face, while he continued to stab her in the arm, stomach, and back.

    She said: “While I was struggling with him (Kazeem), the knife fell off from him and I picked it up to retaliate but noticed it had now bent. I then tried to pick up the center stool to throw at him but before I could, he ran out.

    “I pursued after him as he ran towards where the generator set was and fled. Through the light reflection outside, I saw that my intestines were out. I covered my tummy and got my phone and called a number saved as Ayo, in an attempt to call my husband whose number is saved with the same name.”

    She added that she later called her close friend and narrated what happened.

    “My friend came and met me in the pool of my blood. I told her that my throat was getting dry and in case I die, Kazeem was responsible”, she said. 

    She further testified that her husband’s other apprentice, Opeyemi, later arrived with five other people. 

    When questioned about Kazeem’s whereabouts, she said Opeyemi claimed that Kazeem was not in their apartment.

    Oyetunde narrated how she was taken to five different hospitals where she was rejected until she was referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where she was told that they would perform surgery on her, but it was a 50-50 chance of survival.

    She explained that her friend called her husband, who came in the morning and was informed of everything that had happened.

    Her husband then called Opeyemi, the other apprentice, and demanded that he produce Kazeem. Opeyemi claimed that Kazeem had traveled due to his mother’s death.

    Giving details of how Kazeem was lured back, she told the court that when Kazeem called Opeyemi to inquire about her, Opeyemi told him she had been stabbed at home. 

    Kazeem, it was said, asked who had done it and was told that she had not identified her attacker before she died. 

    Kazeem then said he would borrow money to return to Lagos to partake in the burial food.

    According to her, Kazeem returned in the evening of October 5. 

    After dropping his bag to answer the call of nature, her husband confronted him, slapped him, and revealed that she was still alive.

    Others gathered to beat Kazeem to death, but her husband intervened, stating he had already informed the police, and insisted that Kazeem be taken to the police station.

    Oyetunde expressed shock over the incident, noting that she had been close to Kazeem before it happened.

    Read Also: Court sentences herbalist, Okada rider, other to death for killing corps member in Osun

    She recounted that she had a cesarean birth and lost the baby, and while she was pregnant, Kazeem often drove her to the market with her husband’s vehicle to buy goods. 

    She added that he usually ran all her errands.

    During cross examination by the defense counsel, the witness said she was at home with her four years old child on the day of the incident, adding that there was a disagreement on service rendered between the defendant and her husband a week before the incident. She stated that she had planned to intervene on the issue.

    Shofolu hinted the court that the prosecution intends to call three other witnesses to testify.

    Justice Adesanya after listening to her testimony subsequently adjourned to December 2, 9, 10, 2024 for continuation of trial.

  • Court sentences herbalist, Okada rider, other to death for killing corps member in Osun

    Court sentences herbalist, Okada rider, other to death for killing corps member in Osun

    An herb seller, Jelli Kareem, an Okada rider, Oludayo Oludele, and an electrician, Awodeji Muyiwa, have been sentenced to death for the robbery and murder of a corps member, Adebayo Mukaila, in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

    The convicts pleaded not guilty when arraigned on October 8th, 2020, alongside a vulcanizer, Anifowose Buliaminu, who they sold stolen recharge cards to after the crime.

    During the trial, the prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Muyiwa Ogunleye, called four witnesses: the 10-year-old daughter of the deceased who witnessed her father’s murder, a family member, a pathologist, and an investigative police officer. 

    The prosecution also presented an autopsy report and other exhibits.

    He said: “Kareem, Oludele and Muyiwa on January 28th 2020 in Omo West Area conspired to rob and kill one Mukaila of his phone, recharge card and other valuables.

    He added that Biliaminu also received recharge card stolen from Mukaila, noting that offences of conspiracy, robbery, murder and possession of fire arms contravened Sections 316, 319 and 324 of Criminal Code Law. Cap.34, Vol. 2. Laws of  State, 2002 and Section 27 of the Robbery and Fire arms Act Cap R11, LFN 2004. 

    Read Also: BREAKING: Lagos court orders final forfeiture of $16.5 million, N127 million diverted from NIMASA

    However, the defense counsel, Shina Olaniyan, Legal Aid Counsel, Folashade Ipede and Suleiman Akano urged the court to dispelled the case against the convicts who are herbseller, Okada rider, electrician and vulcaniser noting that the prosecution did not prove the case of Murder,Conspiracy to Armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms against the defendants. 

    Delivering the judgment, Justice Adedapo Adeniji of State High Court, Ile-Ife stated that the prosecution proved all the case beyond reasonable doubt. 

    He sentenced them to death for the offences and discharged and acquitted Anifowose Buliaminu for receiving stolen recharge card.

  • BREAKING: Lagos court orders final forfeiture of $16.5 million, N127 million diverted from NIMASA

    BREAKING: Lagos court orders final forfeiture of $16.5 million, N127 million diverted from NIMASA

    Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Lagos Federal High Court, Ikoyi has ordered the final forfeiture of $16.5 million and N127 million which were fraudulently diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to the federal government of Nigeria.

    Justice Ogundare finally forfeited the monies, while granting an application for such orders, which was filed and moved by an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Sulaiman I. Sulaiman, today.

    The monies, according to the EFCC, were said to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

    The judge had on May 23, 2024, ordered the interim forfeiture of the monies, while granting an Exparte motion, brought before the court pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14. 2006; and Section 44 (2)(B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended)

    The court after forfeiting the monies in the interim on May 23, 2024, had directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, to show cause why the monies should not be finally forfeited.

    However, at the resumed hearing of the final forfeiture of the money today, counsel to the EFCC, Suleiman Suleiman, informed the court that pursuant to your lordship’s order made on May 23, 2024, that the order be published, the publication of the order was made on June 6, 2024, on a national daily.

    “The said application is supported by 22 paragraphs deposed to by Oghare Ogbole, an investigator with the EFCC.

    “The application is accompanied with two exhibits, the Interim order of the court and Punch publication of June 26, 2024. And It’s supported with the written address.

    “We most respectively adopt same and urge the court to grant the relief sought.”

    Justice Ogundare after listening to the EFCC lawyer held that “order granted as prayed.”

    The EFCC in the affidavit support of the application made the followings: “That on the 2nd October, 2013, the management of NIMASA under the leadership of Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi vide letter referenced: NIMASA 2007/DG/NSA/2013/006 dated 2/10/13, requested for the release of the sum of N1,123,400 billion, for the implementation of International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) projects.

    “That on the 4th day of November 2013, the then President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, through the National Security Adviser (NSA) approved the requested sum of N1,123,400 billion. And that upon the release of the first tranche in the sum of N1, 123, 400 billion, an account No. 0060559139, domiciled in Access Bank was opened on 03/1/14, in which Captain Bala Ezekiel Agaba, the Chairman of the ISPS Committee/Executive Director, NIMASA, Mr. Victor I. Onuzurike and Mr. Dele T, Ejekukor are signatories.

    “That no sooner had the money hit the Committee’s account, one Mr. Uche Obilor, a close associate of the chairman of the committee, Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba received that total sum of N437,726,666.66 million, through his company known as Seabulk Offshore Operator Limited with account number 005326440 domiciled in Access Bank.

    “That the said Mr. Uche Obilor equally received another whopping sum of N402,480 million, through his company Southern Offshore Limited with Zenith Bank Plc., account number 1013224100. And that also, the said Mr. Uche Obilor used his company known as Ace Prothesis Limited to receive the total sum of N66,800 million, through its account number 1012583949, domiciled in Zenith Bank Pic.,

    “That out of the N437,726,666.66 million, paid to Seabulk Offshore Operator Limited, the total sum of N187 million, was transferred to Usaini Sabo on 06/03/2014, 10/06/2014, 12/06/2014 and 09/07/2014, who in turn converted same to US Dollars and handed them over to Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba.

    “That from the said sum paid to Seabulk Offshore Operator Limited, the total sum of N67 million, was on the 23rd July, 2014, paid to Kofar Fada Limited, who also converted the money to US Dollars and handed over same to Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba. And that the sum of N66,800 million, received by Uche Obilor through his company Ace Prothesis Limited from NIMASA was equally converted to personal use without rendering any service to the agency.

    “That from the sum of N402,480 million, received by Uche Obilor through his company Southern Offshore Limited from NIMASA, the total sum of N268 million, was paid to one Usaini Sabo, who said sum to US Dollars and handed same over to Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba.

    “That from the sum of N402,480 million, received from NIMASA by Mr. Uche Obilor through his company Southern Offshore Limited, the total sum of N103,100 million, was equally transferred to Haji Kawu Investment Bureau De Change and Lekay Leads Ventures Limited, which sums were equally converted to US Dollars and handed over to Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba.

    “That the various sums of money transferred to the companies of Mr. Uche Obilor from the treasury of NIMASA were fraudulent in that these companies neither rendered any service nor supply goods to the agency. Rather, the funds were largely converted to Dollars for personal use and the remaining retained by Mr. Uche Obilor.

    “That during the course of investigation, the total sum of $16,500 USD cash, was recovered by the Commission, part of the funds diverted from the treasury of NIMASA. And that for using his companies as mentioned above, Mr. Uche Obilor, upon invitation to the Commission during the course of investigation agreed to return the sum of N118 million, admittedly received and retained by his companies from the funds fraudulently converted from the treasury of NIMASA.

    “That Mr. Uche Obilor voluntarily raised drafts through First City Monument Bank in the name of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which sums are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

    “That the funds sought to be forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of an unlawful act of diversion of funds from the treasury of NIMASA, through Mr. Uche Obilor, his companies and other cronies.

    “That I know as a fact that Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, the then Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development of NIMASA was convicted, sentenced by this Honourable Court, per Buba, J (rtd) and subsequently granted pardon by the Council of State.

    “That in view of the findings in preceding paragraphs and upon a thorough analysis of the evidence on record, this Honourable Court on the 23 day of May 2024 made an interim order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria in favour of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) the assets sought to be forfeited.

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    “That I know as a fact and verily believe that this Honourable Court on the said 23 day of May, 2024 also directed the Applicant herein to publish in any national daily the said interim order of forfeiture to enable any interested party to appear before the Court to show cause why the assets should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, in favour of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    “That in compliance with the order of this Honourable Court, the Applicant herein published in The Punch newspaper of 6th June, 2024, the interim order of this Honourable Court.

    “That I also know as a fact and verily believe that notwithstanding the Order of this Honourable Court directing any interested party to appear and show cause why the assets sought to be forfeited should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria in favour of NIMASA, no person or party had served any affidavit showing cause on the Applicant herein.

    “That this Honourable Court has the requisite power and jurisdiction to grant this application. And that it is in the best interest of Justice to hear and determine this application.”