The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an order for interim forfeiture of N725 million and other landed properties allegedly linked to Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

The property is situated at Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos state.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement that Mr Akpobolokemi acquired the properties with proceeds of unlawful activity.

The judge, Tijani Ringim, issued the order following interim forfeiture of the properties following an ex parte application by the EFCC’s lawyer, Bilikisu Buhari, on Monday. 

The commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement, said the EFCC counsel further prayed for an order directing the EFCC to publish the interim Order in a national newspaper to enable anyone interested in the properties sought to be forfeited to appear before the court to show cause, within 14 days. 

“Why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria”, the lawyer was quoted to have said in the statement.

Mr Ringim, in granting the application, held that “I find merit in this statutory application and same is granted as prayed.