Court Orders Interim Forfeiture Of Jonathan Terlumun Akputu’s Property
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A Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue State, presided over by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon has ordered the interim forfeiture of a property belonging to one Jonathan Terlumun Akputu.
The order was made on Wednesday October 30, 2019, sequel to a motion Ex-parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi zonal office through its counsel, G. G. Chia-Yakua dated October 24, 2019, praying the Court for the following orders:
“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the four bedroom duplex building known and described as Plot NO. 1, Chief Akputu Close, Judges Quartres Makurdi, in the schedule here in.
“An order directing the publication of a notice in the National Newspaper and EFCC website inviting all person/bodies who may have interest in the said property to show cause within 14 days from the date of publication why it should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”.
Moving the application on Wednesday October 30, 2019, Chia-Yakua told the court that the property described is a subject matter of investigation found in the possession of Jonathan Terlumun Akputu and is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, corrupt practices and money laundering.
“That in whose possession the property was found is under investigation for criminal misappropriation of depositors’ money, corruption by a banker, misappropriation and money laundering.
“That there is need to preserve the property pending the making of a final forfeiture order in this matter.
“That any transaction on the property by Jonathan Terlumun Akputu or his heirs, solicitors, agents by way of disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale and alienation or otherwise of the said property may render any subsequent final forfeiture order made by the Court nugatory.
“The applicant in the affidavit, further stated that the investigation leading to the identification of the property commenced following receipt of intelligence report and a petition from A. J. Ogbo Esq and Adolzy Management Consultant against the respondents”.
Thereafter, Justice Olajuwon ruled that “an order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim, a property set out in the schedule attached to this application, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, pending the hearing and determination of the trial in Charge No. FHC/MKD/CS/76/2019”.
The matter was then, adjourned to November 20, 2019 for further mention.