By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday March 24 reserved ruling till May 3 after hearing an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for final forfeiture of three bedroom terraces duplex and five-bedroom terraces duplex located at Lekki Gardens Estate Ltd, Lagos, to the Federal Government.
Respondents in the suit are two Naval officers Capt. Olumuyiwa Morakinyo and Capt. Ebony Aneke and a company called Lakewood Gardens Ventures Ltd.
The court had on March 28 issued an interim order for the forfeiture of the properties and ordered that same be advertised in a national newspaper.
When the case was called on Tuesday, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the interim orders of the court including advertisement and service, had been complied with.
He further informed the court that service was also personally served on the respondents, adding that they had not raised any objection.
While moving his application for the final forfeiture as directed by the court, Oyedepo then prayed that a final order be made for forfeiture of the properties.
After listening to his application, Justice Hassan said that ruling is reserved till May 3.
TheNiche reports that the EFCC is seeking an order for final forfeiture of the three-bedroom terraces duplex and five-bedroom terraces duplexes located at Lekki in Lagos.
The anti-graft agency also seeks a final forfeiture of the sum of N11 million recovered from the third respondent (Lakewood Gardens Ventures Ltd) which is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC counsel argued that the Federal High Court has the statutory powers under Section 17 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act to make the orders.
He submitted that the properties sought to be attached are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The Commission alleged that the properties were received, concealed, and converted by the respondents from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).