Forfeiture: Saraki Ikoyi houses not bought with illicit funds, court tells EFCC
...says commission fail to prove property were purchased with Kwara govt money
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Federal High Court, Lagos, today refused to grant the application of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a forfeiture Order on the Ikoyi houses of former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
The court instead ruled that the houses were not purchased with illicit fund or proceed of illegal activity as claimed by the anti-graftย commission.
It subsequently adjourned the case to Sept. 29.
In his judgment on the matter, presiding Justice Liman Mohammed further stated that the EFCC has not provided any proof that the money with which the houses located on McDonald Road, Ikoyi, were bought came from any establishment related to the Kwara State Government.
He said the contentious property according to records where rather purchased with a credit facility granted Saraki by the Guaratee Trust Bank (GTB).
The decision of the court is in line with the position of the Supreme Court in the asset declaration case involving Dr. Saraki in which the same property were litigated upon.
The Federal High Court also stated that the matter before him were not criminal in nature like the Supreme Court case under reference.
