November 21, (THEWIILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, secured the final forfeiture to the Federal Government the sum of N775 million and three properties linked to former Accountant General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla and Colonel Bello Fadile, an aide to former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.
The properties include a plot of land at Plot 1960, Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama District, FCT, Abuja; a hotel which is under construction with generating set, located at Plot 621, Road 37, Gwarimpa, FCT, Abuja; and a twin 4 bedroom duplex with guard quarters located at Plot 736, 7th Avenue Gwarimpa, FCT, Abuja.
Moving a motion for the final forfeiture of the assets on Monday, before a Federal High Court in Abuja, Counsel to the EFCC, Christopher Mshelia, informed the court that the assets recovered by the Commission in the course of investigating contract fraud in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Sambo Dasuki, were proceeds of the unlawful activities of Colonel Bello Fadile and Mr Jonah Otunla.
The N775 million was refunded by Otunla and Otunba Ade Adelakun (late) during the investigation, whilst the landed properties sought to be forfeited are “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of an unlawful activity received, retained, concealed and converted by the respondents from the office of the National Security Adviser to the President”.
The Commission had on July 20, 2020, secured an interim forfeiture order on the assets and also published the Order of the court on August 11, 2022, in Thisday Newspaper, for the respondent to show cause why the money and properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The trial Judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, in granting the final forfeiture, stated that the court was satisfied with the evidence before it and ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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