Perm sec objects to EFCC’s bid to seize funds


A Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh Onubuogo, on Friday objected to an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking the final forfeiture of N664, 475,246.6 and $137,680.11 allegedly recovered from him.
The court had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the money following an August 15 motion ex-parte application by the EFCC.
Justice Abdulazeez Anka, who ordered the interim forfeiture, also authorised the EFCC to seize a property described as “Clement Illoh’s Mansion” at Ikom Quarters, Issala-Azegba in Delta State and a hotel on 19, Madue Nwafor Street, off Achala Ibuzo Road, Asaba, Delta State.
EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the money and property to the Federal Government had been filed.
Onubuogo’s lawyer, T. S. Awhana, while acknowledging the receipt of the motion for final forfeiture, said he had already filed a counter-affidavit against it.
The lawyer added that he filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to make the interim order.
According to him, it was improper for the Commission to come before the Lagos court when all the alleged transactions leading to the suit were conducted in Abuja.
Awhana also informed the court of another application seeking to discharge the interim order which was “fraudulently” obtained by the EFCC.
He claimed that an attempt by a court’s bailiff to serve the processes on the EFCC was unsuccessful as an official of the Commission refused to accept the court papers.

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