The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seizes

  • Edo seizes 1,505 motorbikes

    The Edo State Government has confiscated 1,505 motorbikes for traffic offences.

    The Media Director of the State Committee on War against Indiscipline, Valentine Isede, said: “We are even helping the police to control crime …from all indications no reasonable person will abandon his motorbike for months on end without showing up to redeem it. The fact is most of these bikes were stolen.”

    He said owners of the motorbikes committed offences, such as driving against traffic, carrying two or more passengers and parking in unauthorised places, for which they must pay N5,000 into a bank to redeem their property.

    Isede said if the owners fail to show up, the bikes would be handed over to the police after an appraisal by the Governor’s Office.

  • EFCC seizes Ibori’s property, arrests two for smuggling $240,000 to Dubai

    EFCC seizes Ibori’s property, arrests two for smuggling $240,000 to Dubai

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has attached a property belonging to former governor of Delta State , James Ibori, who is serving a jail term in the United Kingdom (UK).

    It also said its operatives arrested wo men- Moghalu Maduakonam and Esho Femi David- at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja, for allegedly attempting to smuggle $240,000 out of the country.

    The Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Ibori’s property was attached on Thursday.

    He said: “The property situated at No 5, Alpha Beach Road , Lekki, Lagos , is suspected to be one of the proceeds of money laundering for which the ex-governor was convicted in the UK.

    “The attachment of the property is the fall out of continued efforts by the anti- graft agency to trace, find and seize properties that were acquired with stolen funds by the former governor.

    “The property is a mansion with a mini-reception at the ground floor and detached Boys Quarters.

    “Two occupants of the house, Moses Abu and Kaycee Kasim, were interrogated and made useful statements.”

    It was learnt that the EFCC exercised its powers in line with Interim Forfeiture Clause in its Act.

    Section 26 of the Act reads in part: (1) “Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the Commission in the following circumstances – (a) the seizure incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon process issued by the Court following an application made by the Commission in accordance with the prescribed rules.(2) Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may – (a) place the property under seal; or(b) remove the property to a place designed by the Commission.

    “(3) Properties taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Commission, subject only to an order of a Court.”

    On the arrest of Moghalu Maduakonam and Esho Femi David at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja for attempting to smuggle $240,000 out of the country,the EFCC said:“While Maduakonam was traveling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates with $200,000.00 which he failed to declare; Istanbul, Turkey- bound David declared only $5,000 out of $40,050 in his possession.

    “The suspects have made useful statement. They will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

    A Federal High Court sitting Abuja and presided over by Justice Adamu Bellohad, on January 23, convicted one Abulrasheed Ibrahim for the offence of money laundering.

    He was arrested on Wednesday, November 7, 2013 by operatives of the commission as he prepared to board a Dubai , United Arab Emirates-bound Ethiopian airline, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport when he declared the sum of $45,000 but a search revealed additional $143,858.

    Justice Adamu Bello ruled that 25% of the total sum, which is $188,858 be forfeited and paid into the Federal Government Treasury by the court accountant and the remaining money returned to the convict through his counsel.

  • EFCC seizes Sylva’s ‘48 mansions’

    EFCC seizes Sylva’s ‘48 mansions’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has seized 48 property from former Bayelsa State Governor Timpre Sylva.

    Most of the houses are situated in elitist districts in Abuja, including Maitama, Wuse II, Dakibiyu, among others.

    This is the second time in a month that the EFCC will confiscate the assets of Sylva.

    The anti-graft agency on December 10 seized one of the property allegedly linked to the former governor (valued at N310 million) at Cachez Estate, Mpape, Abuja.

    Ahead of the beginning of the substantive trial of Sylva on January 10, the EFCC invoked the Assets Forfeiture Clause again with 48 property to wit.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the order to seize the assets temporarily was issued on December 21 by Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    It was learnt that the anti-graft commission invoked the Assets Forfeiture Clause in Section 26 of the EFCC Act 2004 pending the determination of the trial of the ex-governor.

    Section 26 reads: (1)” Any property subject to forfeiture under this Act may be seized by the Commission in the following circumstances – (a) the seizure incidental to an arrest or search; or (b) in the case of property liable to forfeiture upon the process issued by the court following an application made by the commission in accordance with the prescribed rules.(2) Whenever property is seized under any of the provisions of this Act, the commission may – (a) place the property under seal; or(b) remove the property to a place designed by the commission.

    “(3) Property taken or detained under this section shall be deemed to be in the custody of the commission, subject only to an order of a court.”

    The EFCC statement said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, January 3, 2013 took possession of 48 property of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timpre Sylva, who is being prosecuted at a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged misappropriation of N6.46 billion state funds when he was governor of the state.

    “The interim forfeiture order to attach Sylva’s property was granted by Justice A.R. Mohammed on December 21, 2012.

    “Assets belonging to the former governor against which a forfeiture order was obtained by the EFCC include a mansion at 3, River Niger Street, Plot 3192 Cadastral Zone AO, Maitama District Abuja; nine units (comprising six one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments) at 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse Zone 2, Plot 262 Cadastral Zone AO2, Wuse Abuja and two duplexes at 5, Oguta Street, Plot 906 Cadastral Zone Wuse 11 Abuja.

    “Others are a duplex on Plot 1271 Nike Street, Cadastral Zone AO5, Maitama District Abuja; a duplex at Phase 1 Unit No. 1 (Villa 1) Palm Springs Gold Estate, Cachez Turkey Projects Limited, Mpape, Abuja; 10 units of one room apartments at 8, Mistrata Street, Plot 232 Cadastral Zone Wuse 11 Abuja; five units duplexes on Plot No 1070 Dakibiyu District Cadastral Zone B10, Abuja and others.

    The substantive suit is adjourned till January 10.

  • NAFDAC seizes N10m products

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sealed off C.J Frankline Ltd, at Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos for allegely violating the agency’s rules. The firm was to have imported, distributed and sold regulated products without NAFDAC’s registration and approval.

    Acting on a tip- off NAFDAC’s Enforcement Directorate officials accompanied by security operatives visit ed the company where the N10million worth of products were confiscated.

    NAFDAC’s Director of Enforcement Mr. Garba Mcdonald told reporters that the seized products were chemical components such as Xtreme fuel treatment and Tahitian Noni, a liquid dietary supplement.

    He said the chemical was brought into the country without permit, while the supporting documents for importing the dietary supplement had expired, adding that these constituted a violation of NAFDAC’s regulations.

    Mcdonald rejected the company’s excuse that it did not know it needed NAFDAC’s permit to bring in and distribute the chemicals. The agency accused the firm of trying to cut corners for its own benefit.

    The offending products have been evacuated from the company’s warehouse for further investigations.

  • JTF seizes two vessels, 300,000 litres of diesel in Rivers

    Two illegal bunkering vessels containing 300,000 litres of diesel and 10 Nigerian crew members have been arrested by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Bonny, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Spokesman of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Major Michael Etete at the weekend said the vessels, MT Lady Theresa and Pecos Peters, were arrested on October 17 and 18 at LightHouse, Bonny River.

    Etete said the vessels were registered in Nigeria and were caught siphoning illegally-refined petroleum product from a barge.

    He said the arrested crew members would be handed over to the police.

    Also at the weekend, the JTF burnt over 100,000 litres of illegally- processed diesel in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    It also destroyed three boats and arrested six persons suspected to be involved in the illegal business.

    The JTF, led by the Commanding Officer, Nigeria Navy Ship Victory, Calabar, Navy Commodore Kingdom Itoko, raided the hideout where the business was going on at Bay Side and Jebbs Street.

    At Bay Side, four men and two women were arrested. At Jebbs those involved escaped.

    Itoko said the building used for the illegal business would be burnt.

    He said: “As part of my duties for the stoppage of illegal bunkering, oil theft and pipeline vandalisation, I am here to effect the arrest of illegal bunkerers and their collaborators and the residents of this illegal building where the product is kept. This is a crime and we are committed to stopping it.

    “The perpetrators are very prominent people. Even when we arrest their boys, the suspects are not often willing to name their sponsors. The suspects will be handed over to the appropriate authorities foe prosecution.”