The suspects questioned the EFCC’s decision.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed a suit at an Oyo State High Court for an order to confiscate property belonging to some of the suspects currently standing trial in a N5.6 billion pension fraud.
The anti-graft agency asked the court for a relief to take over the physical asset of the former Head of Service in the state civil service, Kudirat Adeleke, and seven other suspects.
Others, whose property the EFCC is seeking to confiscate are Muili Aderemi, Iyabo Giwa, Adesina Ayoade, Oguntayo Banji, Adebiyi Olasunmbo, Adeduntan Johnson, Johnson Bosede, and Kareem Rasheed.
The suspects and three others are currently standing trial over their alleged involvement in the scam which has caused the non-payment of the pension and gratuities of hundreds of retirees from the state’s local government and teaching services commission.
All the suspects were remanded in prison last week after Justice Bolaji Yusuf of the state High Court refused them bail pending the determination of the substantive suit against them.
While addressing the issue of jurisdiction raised by counsel to the affected individuals in the confiscation order, Justice M. O. Olagunju said there were laid procedure to challenge the EFCC prayers.
The commission’s lawyer, Gbolahan Latona, had told the court that his exparte motion should be strictly between the court and EFCC.
He was responding to the position of the suspects’ lawyers who wanted the court to decline jurisdiction, arguing that the supposed owners of the property were not brought to court.
The judge also observed that some of the property are not strictly owned by the said owners as they have used them to transact businesses with some banks.
The judge adjourned hearing of the suit to December 20.
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