PeakNews Online
Abuja, July 5, 2024 — A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of at least 20 properties linked to Abdulrasheed Maina, the convicted former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).
The ruling, delivered on Friday by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, confirmed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that these properties were acquired illegally.
In her judgment, Justice Abdulmalik stated that the EFCC had successfully demonstrated that the properties, scattered across various regions of Nigeria, were obtained through proceeds of crime. The judge further noted that individuals who had responded to an earlier interim forfeiture order failed to provide credible evidence to establish their ownership of the disputed properties.
The forfeiture order initially included 23 properties, but three were excluded from the final judgment. The excluded properties are:
Flat 42C, SMC Quarters, Unguwan Dosa, Kaduna
Plot 18, Road F, on TPO 462B C of O Kd5469
Plot of C of O Bo/426 Beacon B5086, B5087, B5105, B5104, B5099, Cadastral Zone B05 Utako
Peaknews Online reports that Maina’s wife, Laila, a U.S. citizen, along with several relatives and associates including Uwani Usman, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Wambai, Haruna Mu’azu Musa, and Aliyu Abdullahi, had claimed ownership of the 23 properties.
The EFCC had previously secured an interim forfeiture order for the properties linked to Maina, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence for pension fraud amounting to N2 billion. Delivering the judgment, Justice Abdulmalik concurred with EFCC lawyer Farouk Abdullah, noting that the claimants failed to produce credible evidence to support their ownership claims.
“It is trite in law that civil cases in non-conviction forfeiture are hinged on the preponderance of evidence,” Justice Abdulmalik stated. “The respondents have failed woefully in tilting the scale of evidential weight in their favor.”
The judge further emphasized the importance of providing a clear and documented trail of legitimate finances leading to the acquisition of the properties in question. “In view of this grave omission on the part of the claimants to show good and credible cause on the history of their legitimate earnings, I hereby find merit in the applicant’s application for final forfeiture.”
The properties subject to the final forfeiture order include:
Plot No: 965 Gwarimpa 1 District, Cadastral Zone: CO2, covered by C of O No: 1afew-fe28z-63a5r-e36eu-10
Duplex located at No: 16 A Katuru Road, Kaduna
52B, SMC Quarters, Unguwan Dosa, Lot 016, comprising of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalow
Property at Tola Street, Badarawa, Kaduna, comprising of three bedrooms and an undeveloped land
Plot Y12, Kano Street, Kawo New Extension, Kaduna
A duplex located at No: 21, 52 Crescent, Kubwa Phase IV Estate
House 8, 211 Road, a close numbered FHA/EST/264/TA/032.l, 3 bedrooms bungalow
Farm at Dorawa, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State
Another farm at Dorawa, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State
Plot 3A, Sambo Road, Unguwan Rimi, covered by C of O No: KD15452
Plot MF-27A, New Pasafi Layout, Kuje, Abuja
Plot 1B Ajayi Road, Unguwan Rimi, covered by C of O numbered: NC24059
Block 23 Flat 2 located at Life Camp (2-bedroom semi-detached)
Property at No: 62 A/C Maternity Ward, Damaturu Road, Biu
Plot 3A, Sambo Road, Unguwan Rimi covered by C of O No: KD15452, comprising of uncomplicated buildings
