A prosecution counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Godwin Adams yesterday narrated to the court how he participated in the lease of a property allegedly forfeited to the Federal Government through an interim order of court.

Adams, who said he is an engineer and estate manager was testifying in the trial of human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Adegboruwa is being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly dealing in property forfeited to the government.

But he has protested vehemently that he is being persecuted by the EFCC on account of his human rights cases against the Buhari administration and in particular, his representation of Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo and Mr Azibaola Robert, cousin to the former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

The accused insisted that the main criminal charge had been dismissed by the High Court of Lagos State in December, 2015, and the EFCC cannot validly prosecute him upon an interim order in a case that has been dismissed.

At the hearing yesterday, Mr. I.A. Mohammed represented the EFCC for the prosecution, while Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) led scores of lawyers, including Chief Richard Oma Ahonarugo, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbebor, Yinka Olajuwon, John Aga, Uyi Obayagbona, Charles Ebhomwan, Mrs. O. Adegboruwa, Mrs B. Lawrence, and others for the defence.

The witness stated that his client, Shelf Drilling Nigeria Limited, needed an apartment at Nicon Town Estate, Lekki and he and other agents located a five-bedroom apartment belonging to Mr Jonathan Udeagbala. According to him, they met with Mrs. Sylva Udeagbala, his wife, who told them that his husband was in custody because he had a case with the EFCC.

“The property was negotiated for the sum of N10 million per annuum for five years. The company later became reluctant to deal until Mrs. Udeagbala, who took the agents to their lawyer, Mr Adegboruwa in his chambers in Lekki. Mr Adegboruwa disclosed to them that there is a pending criminal case with the EFCC between two friends and they have all agreed to rent out the property in order to raise money to settle the matter with the EFCC.

“The company then paid into the account of Mr Adegboruwa on behalf of his client, Mr. Udeagbala, and then took possession of the property. It was later on that the EFCC stormed the house claiming that the property was encumbered due to a forfeiture order by the court.

“The company then contacted Mr Adegboruwa and they all proceeded to the EFCC to verify the true facts only for them to be arrested and detained.

It was in custody that they learnt of the interim order of forfeiture. But it later transpired that Mr Adegboruwa had executed the instructions of his client to pay N35m out of the lease sum to the complainant in settlement of the pending case and Mr Okafor the complainant then signed an oath to withdraw the case from the EFCC and the case was withdrawn.