The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of N9.billion allegedly laundered for former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The former minister who is currently in London in a recent statement that she did not steal any funds belonging to the government.
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Justice Muslim Hassan had on January 6 ordered the forfeiture of N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) said to be stashed in banks.

Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel urged the court on Tuesday to order the permanent forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

Oyedepo said the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act makes a property that is reasonably suspected by EFCC to be proceeds of unlawful act forfeitable to the Federal Government.

“Can it be said that from the facts and circumstances of this case, that the N9,080,000,000.00, which is the naira equivalent of $40million cannot be reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity?” Oyedepo asked.

Charles Adeogun, lawyer to Executive Director of First Bank Plc, Dauda Lawal, asked the court to order a refund, stating that the funds were siezed by the EFCC through coercion.

Adeogun argued that his client admitted having received $25 million on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s behalf, but was coerced by the commission to further admit receiving $65 million.

Oyedepo however said there was a conspiration between Adeogun and some NNPC officials to launder the money.

“My lord, paragraph 4 of our reply affidavit shows a meeting of the minds of one Gbenga Komolafe, former Group Managing Director, Crude Oil Marketing Division of NNPC, Prince Haruna Momoh, former Group Managing Director, Petroleum Product Marketing company, Umar Farouk Ahmed, and Group Managing Director, Nigerian Product Marketing Company, Stanley Lawson, Babajide Sonoiki and the second respondent, Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria.

“The evidence shows their agreement to retain and launder funds on behalf of the former Petroleum Minister Diezanni Alison-Madueke.

“It’ll amount to contesting the obvious to argue that the second respondent did not have knowledge of the source of the money,” Oyedepo said.

The lawyer denied that EFCC detained Lawal without a court order, adding that his statement was lawfully and voluntarily obtained.

He said Lawal admitted that the $40million was in his possession.

Oyedepo added: “I submit that the proper order your Lordship should make is the final forfeiture of the N9.08billion to the Federal Government being sum found in proceed of unlawful activity.

“I urge my Lord to hold that the second respondent (Lawal) has not shown good cause why the said sum should not be forfeited. The funds were recovered from him. The funds we’re seeking to attach is in possession of the second respondent.

“Having advertised to the whole world pursuant to the order of my lord and no one else came to claim the money except the second respondent, it’ll be appropriate to order the forfeiture of the N9.08billion.

“For the other respondents, in view of their failure to react to the case, they are deemed to have admitted the facts contained in our application.

“Since no one has shown cause in relation to N23,446,300,000 and the sum of $5milion, I, therefore, urge your lordship to order the forfeiture of the sums to the Federal Government finally.”

Justice Hassan adjourned until February 16 for judgment.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/01/efcc-seeks-permanent-forfeiture-of.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Chai!!! I dont even know what or who to believe in this Diezanigate" saga but if truly aunty 'took' all these monies then the thunder that will fire her will be delivered by Dhl 'executive express" very fast and on time and it will hit the spot like a cold bottle of Gulder on a very hot saturday afternoon.....

Today is my Birthday. Please show some love by hitting 'Like 'button

Where dem dey see this kin money

If there are no proof that she stole the money, please give the hardworking woman her dough

One of the beautiful thiefs who almost destroyed my beloved country
Anybody who tries to destroy this country will never know peace

EFCC is confusing me


$40m
N9b
$23m
$5m.
$25m
$65m



Na toilet roll she steal?

xynerise:
If there are no proof that she stole the money, please give the hardworking woman her dough

She said she's not the owner of the money logically the other day so which one should be given to her?
One Can't Forfeit What She Never Own---Diezani

Atiku2019:

And this man is here loading another thief

The EFCC Lawyer should have asked the second respondent who the stolen funds should be refunded to since all the others didn't come forward to claim the illicit money.Or he wants to collect "everybody's share" of the loot?
Awon ole

will this deziani saga ever be over?

And some will still argue this so called amount is legitimately earned.

God come to our rescue and help us in Africa.

Choi,

Only one person tidy 9.08billion naira, not even million,

*faints*

But they don't have a good case


Allison is smarter that our mumu efcc

bettercreature:
And this man is here loading another thief

And your Buhari cleared his houseboy of the 270 million Naira scam to clear Grasses. money that can empower all APC e-warriors into productive ventures

Ok

princeakins:
And some will still argue this so called amount is legitimately earned.

God come to our rescue and help us in Africa.

Quit the lamentation.You didnt read the message and you started typing.This lamentations and whining by you youths should stop.This is not a case of any illicitly rich getting richer.As a matter of fact, this is a great and cheering news.If you steal to be rich,one day you will be disgraced and returned to penury

Ok

Judah95:
Today is my Birthday. Please show some love by hitting 'Like 'button

Nothing for you!

Diazini the finest thief ever leaveth. She can still anything valuable and non valuable under a sec

The woman should be given an award oooo. OON [ole of Nigeria]

I just pity this country. I think it's really time for revolution. The people against the government. Make we kukuma destroy the country start over again. It's too much sef. Every time from frying pan to fire. Weda it's apc or pdp i don't give a hoot. I don't even think there is any political divide in this country. They are all one body acting a script. These same people who bash each other have their secret place of meeting where they strategize for their next move. It's time for we as a people in unity to fight this government and oust all of them. Very incompetent set of people in leadership positions. I watched a movie yesterday "Snowden" in that movie it wasn't even the fact that America is spying on the whole world that got my attention. It's the level of intelligence these people have. I was baffled. As it is, america is already in the future while Africa is still trying to copy their past. 
I get sick to my stomach when i see how our youths who are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow let themselves to be used as pawns by these politicians for their selfish gains. 
It is time to take OUR country back! 
It's not Apc or PDP who owns the country. It's you and i. Trust me. Even if leadership changes hands it's still going to continue like this or even worst. The political system needs to be purged. 
Lets start making the noise! 

REVOLUTION!!! 
I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!!! 
Lets kick off this trend. 
I'm ready to give my life for this course i swear! 
#GIVEMEMYCOUNTRY

When will they seek permanent forfeiture of the houses in dubai

Atiku2019:


And your Buhari cleared his houseboy of the 270 million Naira scam to clear Grasses. money that can empower all APC e-warriors into productive ventures

pls, dnt let's start taking abt atiku and corruption here, abeg

the world most stupid mumu comment located below

petrov10:
But they don't have a good case


Allison is smarter that our mumu efcc

story story... they just like mentioning figures likes say na paper

metroblogger:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order the forfeiture of N9.billion allegedly laundered for former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The former minister who is currently in London in a recent statement that she did not steal any funds belonging to the government.
- Advertisement -

Justice Muslim Hassan had on January 6 ordered the forfeiture of N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) said to be stashed in banks.

Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel urged the court on Tuesday to order the permanent forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

Oyedepo said the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act makes a property that is reasonably suspected by EFCC to be proceeds of unlawful act forfeitable to the Federal Government.

“Can it be said that from the facts and circumstances of this case, that the N9,080,000,000.00, which is the naira equivalent of $40million cannot be reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity?” Oyedepo asked.

Charles Adeogun, lawyer to Executive Director of First Bank Plc, Dauda Lawal, asked the court to order a refund, stating that the funds were siezed by the EFCC through coercion.

Adeogun argued that his client admitted having received $25 million on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s behalf, but was coerced by the commission to further admit receiving $65 million.

Oyedepo however said there was a conspiration between Adeogun and some NNPC officials to launder the money.

“My lord, paragraph 4 of our reply affidavit shows a meeting of the minds of one Gbenga Komolafe, former Group Managing Director, Crude Oil Marketing Division of NNPC, Prince Haruna Momoh, former Group Managing Director, Petroleum Product Marketing company, Umar Farouk Ahmed, and Group Managing Director, Nigerian Product Marketing Company, Stanley Lawson, Babajide Sonoiki and the second respondent, Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria.

“The evidence shows their agreement to retain and launder funds on behalf of the former Petroleum Minister Diezanni Alison-Madueke.

“It’ll amount to contesting the obvious to argue that the second respondent did not have knowledge of the source of the money,” Oyedepo said.

The lawyer denied that EFCC detained Lawal without a court order, adding that his statement was lawfully and voluntarily obtained.

He said Lawal admitted that the $40million was in his possession.

Oyedepo added: “I submit that the proper order your Lordship should make is the final forfeiture of the N9.08billion to the Federal Government being sum found in proceed of unlawful activity.

“I urge my Lord to hold that the second respondent (Lawal) has not shown good cause why the said sum should not be forfeited. The funds were recovered from him. The funds we’re seeking to attach is in possession of the second respondent.

“Having advertised to the whole world pursuant to the order of my lord and no one else came to claim the money except the second respondent, it’ll be appropriate to order the forfeiture of the N9.08billion.

“For the other respondents, in view of their failure to react to the case, they are deemed to have admitted the facts contained in our application.

“Since no one has shown cause in relation to N23,446,300,000 and the sum of $5milion, I, therefore, urge your lordship to order the forfeiture of the sums to the Federal Government finally.”

Justice Hassan adjourned until February 16 for judgment.

http://www.metronaija.com/2017/01/efcc-seeks-permanent-forfeiture-of.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Leave Diezani alone please, if you are looking for those to prosecute, you know where to find them, kindly allow this woman some rest

verygudbadguy:
I thought Diezani denied ownership of that money. Why are we still referring to it as her money when she said it's not hers.

Whoever owns that money, let it be forfeited to the govt's coffers. I pray it doesn't get re-looted by some other looting experts...

Qmerit:


She said she's not the owner of the money logically the other day so which one should be given to her?
One Can't Forfeit What She Never Own---Diezani

It is one thing to deny over the media with mouth and no evidence. It is another thing to deny in the court of law with irrefutable evidences staring you in the face.

EFCC is still gathering evidences and recovering the monies which is most important. By the time they're through and there are no monies to recover, they can now go after the kingpin.

The denial of the woman is an act of throwing those she used to launder money under the bus. She's gaining her "media innocence" but when the heat is turned on her accomplices, they will be the one to Snitch on her by testifying against her for a plea bargain. Remember that Obanikoro too was denying until he was arraigned in court with evidences staring him in his face. He later accepted to testify against Fayose.

jomoh:




It is one thing to deny over the media with mouth and no evidence. It is another thing to deny in the court of law with irrefutable evidences staring you in the face.

EFCC is still gathering evidences and recovering the monies which is most important. By the time they're through and there are no monies to recover, they can now go after the kingpin.

The denial of the woman is an act of throwing those she used to launder money under the bus. She's gaining her "media innocence" but when the heat is turned on her accomplices, they will be the one to Snitch on her by testifying against her for a plea bargain. Remember that Obanikoro too was denying until he was arraigned in court with evidences staring him in his face. He later accepted to testify against Fayose.

Sure