NewsCourt Orders Initial Forfeiture Of Invictus Obi’s Abuja Houses, Cars

Court Orders Initial Forfeiture Of Invictus Obi’s Abuja Houses, Cars

THEWILL APP ADS 2

November 01, (THEWILL) – Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of two houses and cars linked to convicted Internet fraudster, Obinwanne George Okeke, also known as Invictus Obi.

Justice Lifu made the order after listening to an ex parte application filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Chineye Okezie.

Invictus Obi is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in America for his involvement in a computer-based intrusion fraud scheme amounting to $11 million.

The EFCC in a supported affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Usman Abdulhamid, noted that Invictus Obi had already forfeited N280,555,010, N240,250,904.46 and N40,304,106.19 to the Federal Government

According to the Anti-graft agency, “On further investigation by the Commission, two more properties were traced belonging to the convict, along with two vehicles parked in the residence.”

Arguing claims for the application, it said, the forfeiture order is pertinent in order to restitute the victims of the fraud through the United States of America Consulate.

The EFCC further argued that, the “matter is of very urgent public interest and concern as it directly tarnishes the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Nigerians among the comity of nations”, adding that the “properties sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government by the applicant were not procured through legitimate earnings of the respondent but are reasonably suspected to be part of the fraudulent activities which the respondent has been convicted for.”

Ruling On the application, Justice Lifu held: “I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant vis-a-vis affidavit filed in support. I hold in my considered view that this application is meritorious and ought to be granted. Consequently this application is hereby granted as prayed.”

The judge also ordered that the commission should publish the order in a widely read newspaper in Nigeria within 14 days for any interested party to show cause why the order should not be permanently made.

He adjourned till November 30 to make a final decision on the forfeiture motion.

The court order covers, “All property lying, being and situate at House 4 Oakville Estate, Kado Kuchi, Abuja.

“All that property lying, being and situated at 5- bedroom duplex at Standard Estate, Kabusa, Abuja.”

The vehicles are a Toyota Corolla with registration number: RBC6238N and an unregistered Toyota Corolla Sport.

According to the EFCC, the properties will be used to restitute foreign victims of Invictus Obi’s fraud through the United States of America Consulate.

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