Monday, 7 August 2017

Federal High Court orders Alison Deziani Madueke to permanently forfeit her $37.5m Banana Island mansion to FG

Not very good times for ex-petroleum Minister, Alison Deziani-Madueke, as the presiding judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, has ordered the permanent forfeiture of her Banana Island mansion which she reportedly paid for in cash up to the tune of $37m. 

The order was given after EFCC informed presiding judge that an earlier order to publish the forfeiture had been obeyed and no interested parties had come forward to object. Also, the sums of $2,740,197.96 and N84, 537,840.70 realized as rents on the property should be forfeited to the government. Alison purchased the property in 2013 when she was serving as Petroleum Minister and allegedly paid in cash as the money was moved in cash from her Abuja home to the first bank account of the seller.
Justice Obiozor had been informed by Anselem Ozioko, counsel for the EFCC, that the commission had complied with an order given by the court that the forfeiture be published in a newspaper; after which, anyone who had an interest in the said property and funds would appear before the court to state reasons why it should not be handed over to the government. Oziokro noted that the forfeiture order was not contested by the second and third respondent in the case- Afamefuna Nwokedi, and a company called Rusimpex Limited- despite efforts made by the commission. Urging the judge to go ahead and order a permanent forfeiture, the EFCC counsel stated: “In summary, it appears as if they are not willing to contest this application.” The judge subsequently responded: “In the face of the publication which I find in Exhibit B of the affidavit of compliance before me, and there being no responses from any interested party, I have no other option but to grant the orders as prayed.” Arguing his case before judgement was delivered, the EFCC counsel had earlier told the judge that the former minister had acquired the property with proceeds of unlawful activities. He disclosed how that investigations made by the commission had revealed that Madueke had paid the sum of $37.5m in cash, when she purchased the porperty in 2013. The money was reportedly moved straight from Diezani’s Abuja house, to the First Bank account of the seller. Ozioko stated: “Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartmen Read more: https://www.naij.com/1118906-2-soldiers-dead-army-ambush-boko-haram-terrorists-operation-photos.html
Justice Obiozor had been informed by Anselem Ozioko, counsel for the EFCC, that the commission had complied with an order given by the court that the forfeiture be published in a newspaper; after which, anyone who had an interest in the said property and funds would appear before the court to state reasons why it should not be handed over to the government. Oziokro noted that the forfeiture order was not contested by the second and third respondent in the case- Afamefuna Nwokedi, and a company called Rusimpex Limited- despite efforts made by the commission. Urging the judge to go ahead and order a permanent forfeiture, the EFCC counsel stated: “In summary, it appears as if they are not willing to contest this application.” The judge subsequently responded: “In the face of the publication which I find in Exhibit B of the affidavit of compliance before me, and there being no responses from any interested party, I have no other option but to grant the orders as prayed.” Arguing his case before judgement was delivered, the EFCC counsel had earlier told the judge that the former minister had acquired the property with proceeds of unlawful activities. He disclosed how that investigations made by the commission had revealed that Madueke had paid the sum of $37.5m in cash, when she purchased the porperty in 2013. The money was reportedly moved straight from Diezani’s Abuja house, to the First Bank account of the seller. Ozioko stated: “Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartment. Read more: https://www.naij.com/1118906-2-soldiers-dead-army-ambush-boko-haram-terrorists-operation-photos.html
Justice Obiozor had been informed by Anselem Ozioko, counsel for the EFCC, that the commission had complied with an order given by the court that the forfeiture be published in a newspaper; after which, anyone who had an interest in the said property and funds would appear before the court to state reasons why it should not be handed over to the government. Oziokro noted that the forfeiture order was not contested by the second and third respondent in the case- Afamefuna Nwokedi, and a company called Rusimpex Limited- despite efforts made by the commission. Urging the judge to go ahead and order a permanent forfeiture, the EFCC counsel stated: “In summary, it appears as if they are not willing to contest this application.” The judge subsequently responded: “In the face of the publication which I find in Exhibit B of the affidavit of compliance before me, and there being no responses from any interested party, I have no other option but to grant the orders as prayed.” Arguing his case before judgement was delivered, the EFCC counsel had earlier told the judge that the former minister had acquired the property with proceeds of unlawful activities. He disclosed how that investigations made by the commission had revealed that Madueke had paid the sum of $37.5m in cash, when she purchased the porperty in 2013. The money was reportedly moved straight from Diezani’s Abuja house, to the First Bank account of the seller. Ozioko stated: “Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartment Read more: https://www.naij.com/1118906-2-soldiers-dead-army-ambush-boko-haram-terrorists-operation-photos.html
Justice Obiozor had been informed by Anselem Ozioko, counsel for the EFCC, that the commission had complied with an order given by the court that the forfeiture be published in a newspaper; after which, anyone who had an interest in the said property and funds would appear before the court to state reasons why it should not be handed over to the government. Oziokro noted that the forfeiture order was not contested by the second and third respondent in the case- Afamefuna Nwokedi, and a company called Rusimpex Limited- despite efforts made by the commission. Urging the judge to go ahead and order a permanent forfeiture, the EFCC counsel stated: “In summary, it appears as if they are not willing to contest this application.” The judge subsequently responded: “In the face of the publication which I find in Exhibit B of the affidavit of compliance before me, and there being no responses from any interested party, I have no other option but to grant the orders as prayed.” Arguing his case before judgement was delivered, the EFCC counsel had earlier told the judge that the former minister had acquired the property with proceeds of unlawful activities. He disclosed how that investigations made by the commission had revealed that Madueke had paid the sum of $37.5m in cash, when she purchased the porperty in 2013. The money was reportedly moved straight from Diezani’s Abuja house, to the First Bank account of the seller. Ozioko stated: “Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartment Read more: https://www.naij.com/1118906-2-soldiers-dead-army-ambush-boko-haram-terrorists-operation-photos.html

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