Lagos high court orders final forfeiture of two of former petroleum minister Diezani's penthouses

FORMER petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has lost two of her penthouses to the federal government after a Lagos high court ordered the forfeiture of the two properties following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Yesterday, a federal high court in Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of two penthouses linked to Ms Alison-Madueke. Trial judge, Justice Cecilia Mojisola Olatoregun, ordered their final forfeiture of the two penthouses, while granting an application by the EFCC.

In the suit the EFCC had as respondents, Ms Alison-Madueke, Donald Amagbo, Schillenburg LLC and Sequoyah Properties. On December 5, 2017, the court had ordered an interim forfeiture of the following properties, which include Penthouse 21, Building 5, Block C, 11 floor, Bella Vista, Banana Island, Ikoyi and Penthouse 22, Block B, Admiralty Estate also in Ikoyi.

At yesterday’s proceedings in the matter, Mr ABC Ozioko, the EFCC counsel told the court that he had a motion on notice brought pursuant to the provisions of the EFCC Act, the 1999 constitution as well as under the inherent jurisdiction of the court. He urged the court to order a final forfeiture of the properties listed in the schedule.

Relying on the depositions in the affidavit deposed to by one Abdulrasheed Bawa, Mr Ozioko argued that it was now pertinent for a final forfeiture order to be made, following the interim orders made on December  5, 2017. He informed the court that in compliance with the earlier orders of the court, the interim orders were advertised on December 20, 2017.

In response, counsel to the respondents, Mr Bassey, informed the court that he had filed a counter-affidavit before the court and was not opposed to the application for final forfeiture. In a short ruling, Justice Olatoregun granted the orders as prayed and ordered a final forfeiture of same.