EFCC helps Kwara to recover N100m, civil servant forfeits hotel, cars to FG

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) has assisted the Kwara state government to recover over one hundred million naira for the Kwara State Government from corrupt officials in the State, according to its acting chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu on Wednesday.

Also in the State, Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court, has ordered the final forfeiture of a hotel and cars belonging to a Kwara civil servant to the federal government. 

Also forfeited to the federal government are a three bedroom flat, two wings of two bedroom flats and a room and parlour with its own conveniences.

On the recovered N100 million, Magu, who spoke through Isyaku Sharu, the zonal head of EFCC office In Ilorin, during a visit to the office of the News Agency of Nigeria said, “We started our full operations in Ilorin Zonal Office sometimes in February 2019, our operations cut across all areas, We have recovered over one hundred million naira cash belonging to the Kwara State Government, this money was stolen by politicians and prominent individuals within the State.

“The Commission is not afraid of anybody,  just last week, a traditional ruler returned five million Naira, part of the monies he benefited from the previous administration in the state, “he stated.

The EFCC boss further revealed that “When we started our operations in February which was the eve of the 2019 General Elections,  we started tracking vote buying which borders on economic crime. Today,  the Ilorin Zonal office of the Commission has secured no fewer than 26 convictions while about fifteen cases are still pending in Court “

Meanwhile, giving his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Oyinloye said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC proved its case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt,  noting that the evidences presented before the court were strong and reliable. 

 “The interim order of this honourable court was published in The Nation Newspaper, while the court’s processes were served alongside with the hearing notice to the defendant, but despite this, the defendant did not show up to explain why the said properties should not be forfeited to the federal government,” Justice Oyinloye said.

He further observed that “The evidence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was not controverted or challenged by the defendant or any interested parties to the suit. This honourable court is of the opinion that the defendant was fully informed about the proceedings. In view of the forgoing, this honourable court hereby order that the said properties be forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria,” the judge ruled. 

Prosecuting counsel,  Nnemeka Omewa in moving the motion dated September 8, 2019 urged Justice Oyinloye to grant the prayers of the EFCC, which in part was for an order of the court for the forfeiting to the federal government an unregistered Toyota Camry 2008 model, “found, traced and recovered by the Commission from the respondent which property is reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.

And an order of the court for the forfeiting to the federal government a gold-coloured Porsche Cayanne vehicle, “found traced and recovered by the Commission from the respondent which property is reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.” 

Justice Oyinloye relying on the motion and13 exhibits, attached equally ordered the cars recovered from the respondent, Abdul Ibrahim to be forfeited to the federal government.