Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday ordered the final forfeiture of N426.7 million belonging to John Onimisi Ozigi, a retired brigadier general, to the Federal Government.
The judge had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the money following an exparte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Joined as respondents are Diamond Head Ventures and Dev. Company Ltd.
In granting the interim forfeiture order, the judge directed interested parties to show cause why the sum of money should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
The commission, in an affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Clever Ibrahim, stated that the first respondent, Mr Ozigi was an officer of the Nigerian Army, while the second respondent, Diamond Head Venture, was a business name owned and incorporated by the first respondent.
The commission, in the application, also stated that the first respondent was a salary earner and a public officer with an estimated monthly salary of about N750, 000.
The EFCC, through its lawyer, Nkereuwem Anana, further stated that the money was found in an account opened in the name of the first and second respondents.
Mr Anana, while moving the application for final forfeiture of the money, stated that the first respondent, in his statement to the commission, indicated willingness to refund the money to the Federal Government, adding that the said statement was attached as exhibit 3.
The EFCC counsel, therefore, urged the court to grant the final forfeiture of the money, saying that “ if made, it will serve the course of justice, as same is sought in good faith and in accordance with the Oaths Act.”
The judge held that the respondent failed to satisfy the court with concrete evidence why the money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
“The application has met the conditions stipulated in Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Related Offences Act,” the judge was quoted as saying.
“The application is meritorious and it is hereby granted as prayed.”
Credit: Premium Times