Court orders return of properties seized by Nigerian Govt to businessman
Story from Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Government of Nigeria to return five houses and foreign currencies in bank accounts belonging to a Nigerian based Nigerien contractor, Hima Aboubakar, which were wrongly seized.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order in a ruling in which he reversed an earlier order issued on June 13, 2020, in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria for final forfeiture of properties located in Maitama, Abuja, and funds including foreign currencies being held in various accounts.
These properties are on Plot 1506, House 6, Ethiopia Close, off Owena Close, Maitama; Plot 3515, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama; Plot 3516, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama; Plot 3518, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama and Plot 3519, Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama respectively.
The funds are N72.5 million; $84,417 and £15,288 in various bank accounts.
Justice Nwite, in the ruling, agreed with Aboubakar’s lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, that he (Aboubakar Hima) was not accorded a fair hearing as he was not adequately informed about the earlier interim forfeiture order granted by the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier seized the properties and funds in 2020 and proceeded to apply an order of interim forfeiture, which the court granted.
It could be recalled that Aboubakar Hima is a citizen of Niger Republic and a military contractor based in Abuja, Nigeria.
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