Justice Tijani Ringim of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of N725,345,897 linked to Patrick Akpobolokemi.
The court further directed the seizure of a property situated at Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Akpobolokemi allegedly acquired the listed while serving as Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
Justice Ringim gave a forfeiture order on Tuesday following an ex parte filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The commission’s counsel, Bilikisu Buhari submitted that the money was “reasonably suspected to be proceeds of an unlawful activity.”
The lawyer also said the property in Lagos was “reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of an unlawful activity.”
The EFCC requested permission for the publication of the order in a newspaper to enable anyone willing to claim the properties come forward.
If no one does within the next 14 days, the forfeited assets will be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“I find merit in this statutory application and same is granted as prayed,” Justice Ringim said in approving the application.
