A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till February 16, to deliver judgment in the suit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,) seeking forfeiture of funds linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke.
Trial judge, Justice Muslim Hassan, adjourned for judgement after hearing arguments from counsel representing parties in the suit. It will be recalled that Justice Hassan had on January 6, issued an interim order of forfeiture of the sum of $153.3 million to the Federal Government, following an ex-parte application by EFCC seeking similar relief.
Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke The EFCC had initiated the ex-parte application seeking an interim order, for the temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government of the sum, which it claims is linked to Diezani.
At the resumed hearing in the matter, yesterday, Mr Charles Adeogun, announced appearance for Dauda Lawal, an Executive Director of First Bank, who is joined as respondent in the suit. EFCC’s counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that in line with its interim orders of January 6, the EFCC had served same on the respondent (Lawal).
He also informed the court that the order was also published in the media in compliance with the orders of the court. In response, counsel to Lawal (Adeogun) confirmed the position, adding that he had filed a counter affidavit deposed to by Lawal, challenging the said forfeiture orders.
(Vanguard)
