Court orders forfeiture of 10 properties linked to ex-Zamfara governor,Yari

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of 10 properties linked to former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari.

The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, gave the order on Wednesday, following an ex-parte motion moved by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, a lawyer to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Egwuatu held that after perusing the ICPC application, he was inclined to grant the order.

According to the judge, granting the application will not deny anyone a fair hearing.

According to the judge, the interim order would last for 60 days to enable the ICPC to conclude its investigation, after which the commission could apply for final forfeiture.

He also directed the ICPC to publish the order in two national newspapers, notifying any interested party to approach the court and show cause why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

He adjourned the matter to April 28 to hear the motion for final forfeiture.

Some of the forfeited properties, according to the ICPC, are in Maryland, USA, Abuja, Kaduna, and Zamfara.

In January 2021, the ICPC had secured the permanent forfeiture of over $669,000 linked to the former governor.