The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, ordered the final forfeiture of a plot of land in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, belonging to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the Federal Government.
Justice Chuka Obiozor held that the property was illicitly acquired.
“Upon careful appraisal of the applicant’s motion on notice for final forfeiture before me, I find that the property constitutes a proceed of unlawful act,” he held.
The judge ruled on an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission said land, measuring 7,903.71 – 8,029.585 square metres, is on Plot 9, Azikiwe Road, Old GRA (UAC Property on Forces Avenue), Port Harcourt.
It said the land was reasonably suspected to part of proceeds of unlawful activities.
The commission prayed the court for an order to allow it “appoint a competent person or firm to manage the asset/property.”
EFCC prayed the court to prohibit “any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the asset/property.”
This is coming few days after the court ordered the temporary forfeiture of 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone, seized from Mrs Alison-Madueke, to the Federal Government.
The items, valued at $40million (about N14.4b), were recovered from the home of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources.
