Court orders ex-perm sec to forfeit N664m, $137,680 to FG

A Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday ordered a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh Onubuogo, alleged to have been involved in the Sure-P scam to permanently forfeit N664m and $137,680.11 to the Federal Government.

Justice Saliu Saidu granted the order at the resumed trial of Onubuogo yesterday.

Counsel to the former permanent secretary, Mr. T.S Awana, informed the court that his client had two applications, one challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the other for discharge of the earlier order granting the interim forfeiture of the properties in question.

Awana said because his client was in discussion with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the need to settle out of court, he would be withdrawing the two applications.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo confirmed move to settle out of court and stated that he would not be opposing the withdrawals of the two motions filed by the defendant.

Oyedepo told the court that based on the discussion and agreement reached between the parties, EFCC would apply for the discharge of an earlier interim order of court as regards two of the properties being sought to be forfeited to the government. They are Clement Illoh’s Mansion located at Ikom Quarters, Issala Azegba, Delta State and the property at number 19 Madue Nwafor Street off Achala Ibuzor Road, Asaba Delta State.

He then urged the court to discharge the earlier order of the court as regards the two properties. Awana did not oppose the application, paving the way for the EFCC to move the motion for final forfeiture of Onubuogo’s other properties suspected to be proceeds of illegal act.

Consequently Justice Saidu granted the application, ordering the defendant to forfeit the N437, 348,181.16 found by EFCC in his possession, which sum is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity. The court also ordered the final forfeiture of another N97, 300.613.44 found by the commission in the defendant’s account.

Onubuogo was also ordered to forfeit another N129, 826,452.00 found by the commission in possession of Salisu Bala Kura, John Isakwa Kanku, Ahmed Mahmud Muazu, Muktar Safian, Udoh Nnamdi, Umar Bello Mashi, Salogu Karo, Usman Bello, Ahmed Mohammed Makki, Umar Abubakar, Aliyu Abubakar and Enape Victoria.

Onubuogo was also ordered to forfeit to the Federal Government the sum of $137, 680.11

The EFCC had on April 3rd, 2016 also arraigned Clement O. Illoh, before Justice Babs O. Kuewumi of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on failure to declare his assets.