BREAKING: Court orders Saraki’s Ilorin houses worth N1bn forfeited to FG

Emmanuel AmudaDecember 2, 2019

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday, December 2, has ordered the forfeiture of two houses in Ilorin, Kwara State belonging to former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Justice Rilwan Aikawa gave the order citing section 17 of the advance fee fraud and other related offences act 14, 2006 and section 44(2)B of the 1999 Constitution.

The houses are located at plots 10 and 11 Abdulkadir Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, had applied to the court requesting the temporary forfeiture of Saraki’s property.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.

According to him, the Ilorin Zonal Office of the EFCC had earlier approached the court presided over by Justice Ridwan Aikawa for an order of interim forfeiture of about N1 billion worth property belonging to Saraki.

The property which is located at 10 and 11, Abdulkadir street, G.R.A, Ilorin, Kwara State is being requested by the anti-graft commission for forfeiture on the grounds that it was acquired through the proceeds of unlawful activity.

The agency told the court that it uncovered monumental fraud perpetrated in the treasury of the Kwara State Government between 2003 and 2011 when Saraki was governor.

The court ruled that the forfeiture order should be published in a widely-circulated national daily to enable any interested party come to the court to show cause why the property should not be forfeited permanently to the Federal Government.

The judge adjourned the case until December 17.