The Federal High Court Lagos has granted an order of interim forfeiture of the sum of N725 million and property located in the Banana Island area of Ikoyi, Lagos, allegedly diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Justice Tijjani Ringim gave the order following an exparte application filed and argued by Bilkisu Buhari, a counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The commission linked the money and property to a former NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, claiming it was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity

Both are to be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The EFCC Counsel also prayed for an order directing the EFCC to publish the interim order in a national newspaper, “for anyone interested in the properties sought to be forfeited to appear before the honourable court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”