A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday fixed Nov. 6 to hear a motion seeking final forfeiture to the Federal Government, of the sum of N2.2 billion recovered from a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd).
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had made an interim order of forfeiture of the sum on June 14, following an exparte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission had argued that the sum was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Olatoregun had also issued an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of N190 million recovered from a former Air Force Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.
The court had further ordered the temporary forfeiture of N101million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.
The judge had then directed the EFCC to publish the interim orders in two national dailies, for the respondents or any interested party, to show reason why a final order of forfeiture should not be made.
On Monday, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo appeared for the EFCC, while Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) appeared for the respondent.
Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) also announced his appearance in court as an interested party.
Oyedepo then informed the court of a motion dated Oct. 25, seeking final forfeiture of the sums to the federal government.
He said that the motion has been served on the respondent.
Meanwhile, Quakers informed the court that since the matter last came up before the court on June 29, he had yet to receive any counter affidavit from the applicant, having conveyed his interest in the suit to applicant.
On his part, Ayorinde told the Court that he had filed a motion on notice dated June 28, seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture orders of the court, adding that he had served same on the applicant.
In response to Quakers, Oyedepo told the court that the directive of the court was for the interim orders to be published in the newspapers for interested parties to “show cause�.
He said that the order was published on June 15 in compliance, adding that he has not been served with any processes by any one to show cause.
Addressing parties, the court held that although the respondents were entitled to file responses, the suit was an action “in rem� and so, Quakers needed not be served in the first instance.
The court consequently, adjourned the case until Nov. 6 to enable parties to file responses.
In the counter affidavit deposed to by one Danladi, the commission alleged that while in office, the respondent diverted huge sums of money from the Nigerian Air Force accounts, to purchase properties both within and outside the country.
Amosu, who was appointed Chief of staff on Jan.16, 2014, was said to have in the course of his service, received budgetary provisions in the sum of N4.5 billion from Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of NIMASA.
The sum was said to be for Maritime Security Support, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the Nigerian Air Force and NIMASA.
The commission alleged that part of the sums were utilised by the respondent for personal gains.
The post Court Fixes Nov. 6 To Hear Motion For Final Forfeiture Of N2.2bn appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.
Court Fixes Nov. 6 To Hear Motion For Final Forfeiture Of N2.2bn
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