Ex-Perm Sec forfeits N664m, $137,680 found in bank account to Nigerian government

A former permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Clement Onubuogo, on Tuesday forfeited to the Federal Government the sums of N664,475,246.6 and $137,680.11.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had dragged Onubuogo before the Federal High Court in Lagos after discovering the money in his bank accounts.

And in his judgment in the matter on Tuesday, Justice Saliu Saidu, ordered the former permanent secretary to forfeit the money.

According to the anti-graft agency, Onubuogo diverted the funds from Sure-P, a youth empowerment programme initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The defendant’s lawyer, Mr. T.S. Awana, had during the proceeding on Tuesday explained to trial Justice Saidu that his client had opted for an out-of-court settlement with the EFCC.

He further said that consequent upon the out-of-court settlement move, that his client had withdrawn two earlier applications he filed in opposition to the move by the EFCC to have his properties forfeited.

As a result, Justice Saidu struck out the two applications.

Onubuogo had in one of the applications contended the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case. In the other application, he had sought the court to discharge an interim forfeiture order made in respect of his landed properties and funds.

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The court had already last year August ordered that Onubuogo temporarily forfeit to the Federal Government the sums of N664,475,246.6 and $137,680.11 found in his bank accounts and his two landed properties.

One of the properties was Onubuogo’s house known as Clement Illoh’s Mansion located at Ikom Quarters, Issele-Azagba in Delta State, while the other, a hotel, is said to be located at No. 19, Madue Nwofor Street, off Achala Ibuzo Road, Asaba, Delta State.

However, in the court on Tuesday, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told Justice Saidu that following the out-of-court settlement, the anti-graft agency entered with Onubuogo that the EFCC would be seeking for the permanent forfeiture of the funds but not the properties.

“In view of the discussion with the defendant, we want to move the motion of the 5th of September, 2017 wherein we are seeking the final forfeiture of the properties listed in prayers 1, 2, 3 and 4,” he said.

After counsel to Onubuogo did not oppose the application, Justice Saidu granted the EFCC prayer.

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