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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of multi-billion-naira plots of land allocated for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate to the Federal Government.
Justice Mohammed Umar granted the motion on notice filed by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel for the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The motion was not opposed by the defence lawyer, Hassan Liman, SAN.
The judge directed the ICPC, on behalf of the Federal Government, to supervise the construction of the lands, ensuring the completion of the 962 housing units as initially planned. The supervision is to be carried out in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the sole respondent in the case, to guarantee the units’ proper utilisation by end users.
Justice Umar stated:
- “An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 122,015.80 m² and valued at N1,944,375,000.00 (one billion, nine hundred forty-four million, three hundred seventy-five thousand naira).
- “An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of Plot No. 4 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 157,198.30 m² and valued at N3,340,500,000.00 (three billion, three hundred forty million, five hundred thousand naira), suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.
- “An order is hereby made directing the applicant, through the ICPC, to facilitate the handover of the forfeited properties to the respondent, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, as the victim of the alleged unlawful activity.”
In the ruling delivered on Dec. 11, but obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Justice Umar further directed the ICPC and FMBN to form a joint committee to oversee the completion of the project.
NAN reports that on July 9, Justice Umar had granted the ICPC’s request to temporarily take over the lands following an ex parte motion by Akponimisingha. The interim forfeiture was to remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
