Federal High Court in Kano yesterday dismissed an application brought by a former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, seeking to set aside the interim forfeiture order of $9.8 million found in his house in Kaduna.
Justice Zainab Abubakar said there was no merit in Yakubu’s application.
The ex-GMD asked the court to set aside its interim forfeiture order of February 13, on the $9,772,000 and £74,000 found in Sabon Tasha of Kaduna.
He alleged the court has no jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that the Federal Government did not have locus standi for the interim forfeiture order.
He said the court was only empowered to grant such an order in offences allegedly committed under the EFCC Act.
He alleged the Federal Government concealed and misrepresented the facts, which led to the issuance of the order.
A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “In her ruling, Justice Zainab dismissed the application for lack of merit.
“Consequently, all issues argued by the respective counsel were resolved against Yakubu.”
Yakubu was arraigned by the EFCC on March 16, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
His arraignment was sequel to a raid which was carried out by the operatives of the commission on his property located at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna State.
The search led to the discovery of $9,772,000 and £74,000 stashed in fire- proof safes.
A Superintendent of Police attached to EFCC, Tasiu Abubakar, on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja on how the cash was uncovered in Kaduna.
He said: “On February 2, the EFCC Zonal Head of Operation in Kano received information of money kept in Yakubu’s house in Sabon Tasha.
The zonal head directed the Intelligence and Special Operation Section (ISOS) to carry out an investigation on the said house.
“A search warrant was obtained and presented it to the caretaker of the house, Yakubu Bitrus, a brother to the defendant.
“We then demanded for the key to the house from his brother, who told us the key was not with him. But he then called an iron bender who came with break-in materials and opened the door.
“When we entered the room, we discovered another unlocked door and inside it we saw a grey colour Gubabi four panel safe and a white excel CPU component, which Bitrus said belonged to the defendant.
“After discovering the safe, the team along with the defendant’s brother, proceeded to EFCC office in Kano, where key experts were invited to unlock the safe.”
