FRAUDULENT CIVIL SERVANT FORFEITS N124.5 MILLION PROPERTIES TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The counsel to the commission, John-Paul Okwor, told the court that the agency was relying on Section 48 (2) (3) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which gives it the power to obtain a ruling of forfeiture of seized assets acquired by individuals through corrupt means.
Penpushing further reports that, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before the court argued that the accused and two other staff of the Ministry, Poloma Nuhu and Mangset Dickson, allegedly carried out a coordinated fraud within the Ministry.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said the coordinated crime resulted in the withdrawal of N605 million from the Ministry 2014 Constituency Projects account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Penpushing also reports that, Justice E. O. Ebong also ordered the forfeiture other properties which include; a Toyota Camry car and a 2013 Honda Accord ascertained to be from the proceeds of the fraud, landed properties include one 4-bedroom duplex at Janew Home, Plot No.3 Cadastral zone D02, Karsana South District, Abuja, valued at N60 million and a plot of land at Ohia Ngbakiri, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, valued at N30 million.
The illegally acquired properties also include plots of land at Oliopobo, Rumuekini New Layout, Obio Akpor L.G.A. of Rivers State valued at N18 million, Umuodili Odubo, Abe Ndoni Community, valued at N16. 5million and Livingstone Estate Umuogodo, Igbo- Etche, Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Penpushing reports that, the accused, however, appealed to the court to spare him the four-bedroom duplex, to be left out of the properties to be forfeited arguing that, it was acquired with his legitimate income.
The trial judge, Justice E. O. Ebong, dismissed the accused plea for failing to convince the court with proof and therefore, ruled that all the seven properties listed by Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC be forfeited to the Federal Government.
