A Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, temporary forfeiture of funds linked to Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The EFCC in a motion dated August 12, 2020 and marked FHC/L/CS/1069/2020, asked the court to issue an order directing that the funds in three bank accounts be forfeited temporarily.
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According to the anti-graft commission, the three bank accounts are ‘being investigated for the offences of conspiracy, diversion of funds, abuse of office and money laundering.’ While one of the accounts (001852963) is a domiciliary account, the other two (001852956 and 5002349821) are naira current and savings accounts, respectively.
The court ruled in favor of the commission on September 15, 2020 after the hearing of application filed by S. Suleiman, counsel to the EFCC. Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson, confirmed yesterday that Obasa was at the agency’s office for interrogation. ‘He responded to an invite from the commission this morning,’ Uwujaren confirmed.
An unidentified lady, who was said to have acted as personal assistant to the speaker, was also interrogated by officials of the anti-graft agency. Mohammed Rabo, Lagos Zonal Head of the EFCC, said in June that the anti-graft agency would thoroughly look into the case against Obasa and give it the attention it deserves. The Lagos speaker was accused of embezzling public funds and abusing his office. The state house of assembly had cleared the speaker of the allegations, saying they are untrue.
Peace Omenka
Photo Credit: Pop9jaTV