Story by Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
The scheduled hearing of applications for the final forfeiture of properties belonging the immediate past Senate President, Senator Bukonla Saraki, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, was yesterday adjourned till February 6, 2020.
Justice Muhammed Liman had on October 21, fixed today, for hearing of applications from any interested persons to show cause for the properties not to be permanently forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria, after granting EFCC’s motion for interim forfeiture of the said properties.
The said properties are located at 17 and 17A McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Justice Liman had granted the exparte motion for the interim forfeiture of the two properties and affidavit deposed to by one Olamide Sadiq, which were argued by the lawyer to the EFCC, Mr. Nnaemeka Omewa.
In urging the court to forfeit the said properties in the interim, Omewa had told the court that the properties were suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of illicit funds by the former Senate President.
After granting the motion exparte, Justice Liman had ordered the EFCC to publish the order of forfeiture of the two properties in a National Daily within fourteen days for any interested party or parties to show cause while the properties will not be permanently forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria. While adjourning the matter till November 7, for report of compliance.
On November 7, the EFCC through its legal team led by Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court, of compliance with the court order and urged the court to made the interim order final.
However, Saraki’s legal team told the court that they were in court in respect of the properties and urged the to hear them.
But Oyedepo in opposition to the appearance of Saraki’s, counsel said the purpose of the day’s proceedings, was EFCC to inform the court of its compliance with the court order.
Consequently, Justice Liman adjourned till today for hearing of all applications till today.
However, at the resumed hearing of the applications today, the presiding judge, Justice Liman, was said to be in another jurisdiction of the court.
Consequently, on the agreement of EFCC lawyer, Mr. Nnaemeka Omewa, and a lawyer from Saraki’s legal team, Mr. Deji O. the matter was adjourned till February 6, 2020
