EFCC moves to seize Governor's properties in Lagos, Abuja

dimeji akinloye

July 8, 2016 5:17 AM

The houses to be seized are four duplexes on Victoria Island in Lagos State and one located at 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly initiated moves to seize some properties allegedly purchased by Governor

According to Punch sources, the EFCC could invoke the Assets Forfeiture clause to seize the properties in line with sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13 (1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004.

The houses to be seized, which were allegedly bought with illegitimate funds, are four duplexes on Victoria Island in Lagos State and one located at 44 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

Fayose is under investigation for allegedly receiving N1.219 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who is currently in school in the United States of America.

Following the freezing of the Governor's Zenith Bank accounts, the EFCC said it has uncovered details of how Fayose has been receiving bribes from state contractors.

“Investigations showed that the properties were bought with bribes from Ekiti State contractors. Some of the properties were not bought in Fayose’s name but through proxies. So, we will seize all the properties by God’s grace,” an EFCC source said.

READ: How Gov reportedly bought N1.35b Properties in few months

In a 10-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by Tosin Owobo, the EFCC had accused Fayose of using crime proceeds to purchase properties.

The Governor had however faulted the allegations, saying the properties were not bought with stolen funds, adding that he declared them in his asset declaration form - along with the N300million in his Zenith Bank account.

dimeji akinloye