Court allows EFCC to seize Abuja mansion of ex-minister’s wife

monjola sotubo

February 28, 2017 4:15 PM

Justice Y. Halilu ordered Mrs Obanikoro to forfeit the property until the conclusion of money laundering investigations involving her husband and children.

Ex-Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro

Moroophat Obanikoro, wife of former Minister of State for Defence,

Presiding judge, Justice Y. Halilu ordered Mrs Obanikoro to forfeit the property until the conclusion of money laundering investigations involving her husband and children.

She had claimed that she bought the house before the probe into her husband’s affairs began.

The court also denied Mrs Obanikoro’s request for the sum of N200 million as compensation from the EFCC for allegedly violating her fundamental human rights.

She has however proceeded to the Appeal Court to challenge the High Court judgment.

The EFCC has accused Obanikoro of fraud to the tune of N4.7 billion in funds which were meant for the purchase of arms for Nigeria’s military.

The anti-corruption agency traced the money to the Diamond Bank account of Sylvan McNamara, a company allegedly owned by Obanikoro’s two sons, Gbolahan and Babajide.

ALSO READ: Obanikoro reportedly says Fayose got $5.377M cash

This led the agency to seize a house in Ikoyi, Lagos State allegedly belonging to Obanikoro’s sons and his wife’s Abuja property.

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