The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a luxury apartment linked to a former Minister of Power, while placing four additional properties under interim forfeiture as part of efforts to recover assets allegedly acquired with proceeds of corruption.
Justice James Omotosho granted the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), ruling that the Walijam Apartments located on Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities established during the former minister’s criminal trial.
The court also ordered the interim forfeiture of four other properties pending the determination of ownership. The affected assets include Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited in Kaduna State, two mansions on Misratah Street in Wuse 2, Abuja, and A.U.A Plaza on Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja. 
Justice Omotosho held that although the EFCC had not yet conclusively established ownership or beneficial interest in the four properties, the commission had presented sufficient evidence to justify their temporary forfeiture.
He directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within seven days to allow any individual or organisation with an interest in the properties to challenge the order before it becomes final.
The judge also dismissed an objection by the former minister’s legal team, which argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the forfeiture application after delivering judgment in the criminal case.
According to the court, Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act empowers it to make restitution and forfeiture orders even after a conviction has been secured.
During the proceedings, the EFCC told the court that the former minister diverted about ₦22 billion from the ₦33.8 billion involved in the case and that less than ₦2 billion had been recovered despite previous forfeiture orders.
The anti-graft agency argued that the additional assets were necessary to recover part of the outstanding proceeds of the alleged crime.
The latest ruling follows the court’s judgment of May 7, which convicted the former minister on 12 counts of money laundering involving funds earmarked for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Projects.
Justice Omotosho sentenced the former minister to a cumulative 75 years’ imprisonment after finding that he diverted at least ₦22 billion through proxy companies and associates. The court also ordered him to refund the outstanding balance of the stolen funds after deducting recovered assets and directed security agencies, including INTERPOL, to arrest him wherever he is found.
The judge described the diversion of funds meant for critical electricity projects as a serious breach of public trust, saying the offences deprived Nigerians of much-needed improvements in power supply.
Following weeks of surveillance, the EFCC arrested the former minister after his conviction and transferred him to a correctional facility to begin serving his sentence.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the commission remained committed to ensuring the former minister serves his prison term. He is also facing a separate criminal trial over an alleged ₦31 billion fraud.
