Court further adjourns judgment in final forfeiture suit against ex-Chief of Air Staff

Mon, Dec 3, 2018 | By publisher


Judiciary

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, adjourned judgment in a motion, seeking final forfeiture of N2.2 billion recovered from a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

The suit which was earlier fixed for judgment on Monday, was further adjourned following the absence of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, who is said to be attending a seminar

A new date would be communicated to the parties.

NAN reports that the court had issued an interim order of forfeiture of the sum, on June 14, following an exparte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Joined as respondents in the suit are; Amosu, and a company, Solomon Enterprises Ltd.

The commission had argued that the sums were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Justice Olatoregun had also issued an interim order for temporary forfeiture of N190 million recovered from a former Air Force Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

The court had further ordered a temporary forfeiture of N101million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to Amosu.

The judge had then directed the EFCC to publish the interim orders in two national dailies, for the respondents or any interested party, to show reason why a final order of forfeiture should not be made.

On Nov.12, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo who appeared for the EFCC, had moved his motion for final forfeiture of the money,

On the other hand, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), who appeared for an interested party in the suit (Jacob Adigun), and Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) who appeared for the respondents, had respectively moved their various applications before the court.

After listening to the respective counsels, Olatoregun then adjourned for judgment.

In a counter affidavit deposed to by an EFCC operative, Danladi, the commission alleged that while in office, the respondents diverted huge sums of money from the Nigerian Air force accounts, to purchase properties both within and outside the country.

He said that Amosu who was appointed Chief of Staff on Jan.16, 2014, had in the course of his service, received budgetary provisions in the sum of N4.5 billion, from Patrick Akpobolokemi, the then Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The sum was said to be for Maritime Security Support, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Nigerian Air Force and NIMASA.

The commission averred that part of the sums were utilised by the respondent for personal gains. (NAN)

– Dec. 3, 2018 @ 13:09 GMT |

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