Court orders interim forfeiture of ex-council chairman’s mansion

A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi in Benue State has
ordered the interim forfeiture of a property belonging to an
ex-council chairman of Kwande Local Government Area of the
state.

The embattled former council chairman, Jonathan Terlumun Akputu,
would by the court order granted to the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi zonal office on Wednesday, forfeit
his Four-bedroom duplex building located at Judges quarters in
Makurdi.

Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon who presided over the matter granted
the EFCC’s application and ruled that, “an order is hereby made
forfeiting in the interim, a property set out in the schedule
attached to this application, to the Federal Government of Nigeria,
pending the hearing and determination of the trial in Charge No.
FHC/MKD/CS/76/2019.”

Head of Information and Communication of the EFCC in Makurdi,
Nwanyinma Okeanu, in a statement made available to newsmen,
disclosed that the order was sequel to a motion Ex-parte earlier
filed by the Commission through its counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua.

“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of
Nigeria the Four bedroom duplex building known and described as
Plot No. 1, Chief Akputu close, Judges quarters Makurdi, in the
schedule here in.”

The court heard that the property described was a subject matter
of investigation found in the possession of the ex-council boss and
reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, corrupt
practices and money laundering.

Also, the EFCC told the court that in whose possession (Akputu)
the property was found is under investigation for criminal
misappropriation of depositors’ money, corruption by a banker,
misappropriation and money laundering, adding there were need to
preserve the property pending the making of a final forfeiture
order in the matter.

The court further heard that the investigation leading to the
identification of the property commenced following receipt of
intelligence report and a petition from A. J. Ogbo Esq and Adolzy
Management Consultant against the respondents.

Meanwhile, the matter had been adjourned to November 20, 2019
for further mention.