A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has refused to issue a permanent forfeiture order of several properties belonging to former senate President, Bukola Saraki to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had initially obtained a temporary forfeiture order on the properties in Lagos from the same court.
EFCC counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa prayed the court to issue a permanent forfeiture order on the Saraki property, located at No. 17 and 17b MacDonald street, Ikoyi Lagos.
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The counsel argued that the properties were acquired fraudulently with finds belonging to the Government of Kwara State.
Counsel to Saraki, Kehinde Ogunwunmiju SAN raised a preliminary objection to the suit.
In his ruling, trial Judge, Justice Hassan Liman held that the court had jurisdiction to hear the suit.
The court also said according to the evidence before it, the properties in question were built through a bank loan and not funds belonging to the government of Kwara.
The court also held that there was no evidence before it that Saraki repaid the bank loan with funds belonging to Kwara state and as such there was no basis for a permanent forfeiture of the properties.
The court also accused the EFCC of inconsistencies and contradictions in its affidavits and evidences.
As such it adjourned hearing until September 29, 2020 to enable the anti-graft Commission call in witnesses to give oral evidence to clear the discrepancies.
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