The interim forfeiture of N241 million has been secured by the Lagos zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the federal government.
The funds are suspected to have been diverted from the agency for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs in Nigeria are implemented through a presidential committee under the national economic council (NEC), with focus on the United Nations programme “that cardinally addresses issues of poverty eradication, protecting the planet and ensures all enjoy peace and prosperity”.
The commission via a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson also secured interim attachment of a property situated at “Plot, No. 1121, Ekukinam Street, Utako District, Cadastral Zone, FCT, Abuja, which funds and property are suspected to be a proceed of unlawful activity of one Abdulsalam Bawa of the accounting department of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Office”.
Judge of a federal high court in Lagos, Nicholas Oweibo gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by the EFCC.
In the application, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, stated that the money sought to be forfeited is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity diverted from the federal government of Nigeria.
Oyedepo also asked the court for an order directing the publication of the interim forfeiture in a national newspaper for anyone interested in the money to show cause within 14 days, why a final order of forfeiture should not be made.
Oweibo granted all the reliefs sought by the EFCC, and ordered the interim forfeiture of the money to the federal government.
The judge further directed the commission to publish the order in any national newspaper within 14 days, notifying anyone interested in the money to appear before the court and show cause why it should not be finally forfeited.
The matter has been adjourned till September 6, 2021, for a final forfeiture hearing.