The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has overturned an order made by Justice Tijani Garba Ringim which had forfeited property and the sum of ₦725,345,897.77 linked to Patrick Apobolokemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke discharged the interim forfeiture order while ruling on motions filed by the parties involved in the case.
Additionally, the court dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) motion seeking a final forfeiture order for the assets.
This development clears the way for Patrick Apobolokemi to reclaim the assets in question.
The initial interim forfeiture order, issued on April 3, 2023, by Justice Tijani Ringim, targeted a property located at Plot No. J37A Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, along with the sum of ₦725,345,897.77 held by Onyeinteke Global Network.
In his ruling, Justice Ringim had stated, “An order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant forfeiting in the Interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the property lying, being and situate at Plot No J37A Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, which property is reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.”
Following challenges by Boloboloere Properties & Estates Limited and Onyeinteke Global Network Limited, represented by Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, the court found that the EFCC had not adequately demonstrated that the assets were acquired through unlawful means.
Labi-Lawal argued that the EFCC had failed to disclose key facts, including the discharge of Boloboloere from prior charges related to money laundering.
Justice Aneke, in agreeing with the arguments presented, granted the motion to set aside the interim forfeiture orders, effectively allowing the former NIMASA DG to regain control of the assets.
The case highlights ongoing legal battles surrounding allegations of financial impropriety and asset forfeiture within Nigeria’s judicial system.
