By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Consequent upon an exparte motion brought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the presiding judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Friday ordered the temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), properties belonging to the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde.
The affected properties are: Oke Afin Hostels located opposite Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Sapati International School Buildings and Premises located at Ajase Ipo Road, Ilorin, Kwara State; Doyin Filling Station along Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State; and Doyin Gas, Ibadan, Oyo State
Others are: Soka Filling Station, along Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan, Oyo State; Gravity FM Radio Station, Igboho, Oyo State; Tejumola House, Ikeja, Lagos State; A mansion at No 14 Yobe Close, Maitama, Abuja; Properties in South Africa and Shares in banks, fixed deposits and money in bank accounts.
While ruling on the application, Justice Ojukwu held that each of the affected properties were acquired with public funds which represents proceeds of unlawful corrupt activities.
The judge further directed that any person interested in the said properties should appear before the court to show cause within fourteen days of the publication why a final forfeiture order should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In her ruling, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu said: “An order of this Honourable court is hereby made for the interim forfeiture to the Federal Republic of Nigeria of all the immovable properties listed in ‘A’ attached to the affidavit in support and marked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) upon reasonable suspicion that each of the said properties was acquired with public funds and/or represents the proceeds of unlawful corrupt activities.
“An interim order of this Honourable Court is hereby made that the properties attached/forfeited in the interim and be managed and controlled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.”
Justice Ojukwu further directed that the forfeited properties be managed and controlled by the ICPC and a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG), David Igbodo, who has been appointed as the Interim Administrator, pending further directives from the court.
It would be recalled that Professor Dibu Ojerinde who was pioneer Registrar of the National Examination Council (NECO), joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the build up to the 2019 general elections.
