EFCC asks Court to order final forfeiture of $899, 600 linked to ex-Bauchi SSG

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to grant an order for the final forfeiture of the $899,600 allegedly linked to former Bauchi State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ibrahim Ahmed Dandija.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1986/19, filed by the EFCC, has Abdallah Suleiman, Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija and Sigma Apartments Ltd as respondents.

Arguing EFCC’s motion on Thursday, its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho prayed the court to order that the money be finally forfeited to the Federal Government because they were proceeds of crime.

Lawyer to Suleiman, Blessing Anazodo, faulted the competence of the suit and asked the court to set aside an earlier order for interim forfeiture of the money.

Anazodo equally urged the court to compel the EFCC to return the money to Suleiman.

Lawyers to Dandija and Sigma Apartments – A. O Usman and Ademola Adeleye – said although they filed counter-affidavits, they would not mind if the court grants EFCC’s request for final forfeiture.

Justice Zainab Abubakar then adjourned till January 31 for judgment.

Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo, formally of the Abuja division of the court, had had, on October 31, 2019 ordered the interim forfeiture of the money upon an application by the EFCC.

The EFCC had stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the money was established to be proceeds of fraudulent activities.

It claimed to have received intelligence bordering on money laundering regarding illicit funds stashed at Sigma Apartment Ltd. located at Wuse, Abuja.

The EFCC added that based on the intelligence, the house was searched and a safe was found that contained the money.

It stated that investigations revealed that the apartment was secured by a former SSG to the Bauchi State Government, Dandija to store his valuables, but that all efforts to get him were unsuccessful as he had refused to honour invitation to explain his connection with the money.

The EFCC added that one Abdallah Suleiman later came forth to claim the money and stated that he engages in chartering of aircraft through his company Montes Auri Ltd and that the money was received on behalf of a company.

The commission stated that investigations at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) did not support Suleiman’s claim.