Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday refused the request by Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for the release of some of his houses temporarily seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Dimgba had on July 20 granted EFCC an order of interim forfeiture of the properties for a period of 45 days, which lapsed on September 4.
Fayose later applied to the court, after the expiration of the court’s earlier order, for the release of the properties, which comprised four units of four-bedroom at Charlets 3, 4, 6 and 9, Plot 100 Tiamiyu Salvage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja and Plot 1504 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja.
In opposing Fayose’s application, EFCC described it as academic because it (commission) had secured another forfeiture order from another judge of the court, having discovered that Fayose allegedly acquired the said assets by using other individuals and firms.
Justice Dimgba had on Monday heard Fayose’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and EFCC’s lawyer, Kayode Latona, argued the application and counter affidavit.
The judge said the EFCC could not continue to hold on to the houses on the strength of his order, which lapsed on September 4.
He, however, refused to direct the EFCC to unseal the properties, citing a fresh order by Justice Okon Abang (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) on November 3.
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