A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of N20 million alleged to be proceeds of contract fraud involving the National Steel Council (NSC).
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Ogechi Ujam.
The judge directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national daily, giving any interested party 14 days to appear and show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. He adjourned the case until September 5 for the EFCC to report compliance.
In its supporting affidavit, the EFCC disclosed that it had received a petition alleging misappropriation of public funds and fraud against the Executive Secretary of the NSC. The petition claimed that the official, in conspiracy with other government officers, diverted and misused the council’s budgetary allocations.
“The petition further alleged that the Executive Secretary of the council unilaterally withdrew and used funds which were budgeted for the operation of the council without getting appropriate approval from the Board of the Council.
“Preliminary investigation into a petition by the National Steel Council revealed that Le-Juene International Nigeria Limited received funds for the execution of a contract awarded to the company by the National Steel Council
“The contract was not executed, and the funds were not utilised for the purpose for which it was meant.
“From the preliminary investigation carried out, it was revealed that the company received funds from the federal government for the award of a contract which was never executed.
“There is a need to ensure that the said funds in the account of the company are restituted to the federal government, considering the speed with which the funds in the accounts have been dissipated over time.”
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