Federal high court forfeits property linked to NIMASA

A Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of the sum of N11,040,000.00 belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Justice Muslim Hassan granted the orders following an ex parte application made by one, Idris Mohammed, a prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The money, which is suspected to be proceeds of crime and recovered by the anti-graft agency form a company, Lakewood Garden Ventures, is said to have been diverted from NIMASA by a Maritime Guard Commander in the Nigerian Navy, one Captian Ebony Aneke.

The EFCC also secured an order of interim forfeiture of a three-bedroom terrace duplex located at Lekki Gardens Estate Phase IV, said to belong to another Maritime Guard Commander in the Nigerian Navy, One Captian Olotu Morakinyo, and another five-bedroom duplex also in the Lekki area belonging to Captain Aneke.

In an affidavit in support of the application, an operative of the EFCC, Idris Adamu, had stated that the commission received intelligence report for a case of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering made against the two naval officers who were posted to NIMASA as maritime guard commanders from September 2011 to September 2015.

The investigator also stated that a NIMASA Committee of Antipiracy Logistics opened and maintained a bank account which was administered by the Maritime Guard Command.

As a guard commander, Captain Morakinyo was said to have received monies from certain people namely: Yahaya Kanawa – N3,800,000; Maigai Integrated Limited – N4,650,000; Capital Providers limited – N8,000,000; and Crescent Pillars Investment Limited – N18,000,000.

The EFCC also said Morakinyo allegedly received and converted the total sum of N40,950,000 property of NIMASA, through his personal account.

He was also said to have converted another N6.5 million meant for the construction of a Communication Centre for the Maritime Guard Command,

Morakinyo was alleged to have used the account of his wife, Rhoda, to launder part of the monies and to acquire the property at Lekki Gardens.

On the other hand, Captain Aneke was said to have received monies from Crescent Pillars Investment Limited totalling N55,905,100, and another N30milion from Seabulk Offshore limited through his bank accounts.

He was also alleged to have used his share of proceeds to acquire the five-bedroom duplex in Lekki.

The EFCC said various witnesses who were privy to the transactions were invited and made voluntary statements to the anti-graft agency.

According to them, Aneke’s sister, Jumie Aneke, however, refunded the sum of N11,040,000 which was diverted through Lakewood Garden Ventures Ltd.

After presenting all his facts before the judge, the EFCC Prosecutor urged Justice Hassan to grant a temporary order of the court forfeiting the property and the monies to the Federal Government.

In his ruling, Justice Hassan granted the order and directed the anti-graft agency to publish it in any newspaper for the respondents or anyone who is interested in the properties and the funds sought to be forfeited to appear before the court to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government.

The case was then adjourned till April 16.

Credit: Channels TV