Nigeria Police Secure Court Order to Forfeit Properties Linked to Crime Proceeds in Kaduna, Jigawa
By Okafor Joseph Afam
September 25, 2024
The Nigeria Police Force has secured an interim court order to seize several properties in Kaduna and Jigawa States suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the order on August 20, 2024, following an ex-parte motion filed in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1129/2024. The case was brought by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) as the complainant/applicant, with four respondents: Ashiru Muharazu, Mamman Sani, Umar Mohammed, and Shehu Mustapha.
The application, filed by police counsel Idris A. Mohammed, argued that the properties in question were obtained through illicit means. The properties include:
- A two-bedroom flat located on Jimat Street, by Sako, Madachi, Zaria LGA, Kaduna State.
- Three self-contained flats located at Rafin Albasa, behind Bameye House, Alpha Bello Street, Gwargwaje, Zaria LGA, Kaduna State.
- A twin flat, consisting of two bedrooms and four bathrooms, located on Saye Road, Bakasi Street, Gwargwaje, Zaria LGA, Kaduna State.
- A three-bedroom flat located at Tsalake Kofar Yamma, Babura LGA, Jigawa State.
Justice Nwite granted the ex-parte motion, ordering the police to publish the interim order in a national newspaper, allowing the respondents or any interested parties 14 days to present their case and show cause why a permanent forfeiture should not be issued.
The court document, shared by Force spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on his X (formerly Twitter) account, partially read:
“An interim order of this honourable court forfeiting to the federal government of Nigeria, the properties set out in the schedule herein, found and recovered by the operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Department, which the said properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The court further directed the applicant to inform any residents or interested individuals of the properties and to appear before the court within 14 days to contest the forfeiture. Additionally, the interim order will be published in national newspapers to notify the public.
The affidavit supporting the motion was sworn to by Inspector Dung Datchung, an investigating police officer attached to the Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Department, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The court’s interim order marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation, with the Nigeria Police taking firm action against properties believed to be linked to criminal activities. The case will now proceed, allowing the respondents or other interested parties to challenge the forfeiture in court.
