The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the permanent forfeiture of lands approved for the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate to the Federal Government.
Justice Mohammed Umar made the order after granting a motion filed by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The application was not opposed by the defence lawyer, Hassan Liman.
The court directed the ICPC, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, to supervise the construction of the estate and ensure the completion of the 962 housing units earlier proposed.
Justice Umar said the supervision should be carried out in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), the sole respondent in the case and that the housing units should be allocated to end users.
In his ruling, the judge said, “An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of Plot No. 5 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 122015.80 m² and valued at N1,944,375,000.00 (one billion, nine hundred forty four million, three hundred and seventy five thousand naira).
“An order is hereby made for the final forfeiture of Plot No. 4 in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja, measuring approximately 157198.30 m² and valued at N3,340,500,000.00 (three billion, three hundred forty million, five hundred thousand naira), suspected of being proceeds of unlawful activity.”
Mr Akponimisingha told the court that no single house had been built on the land since funds were disbursed for the project.
He said the property was now valued at over N200 billion and that the promoters of the company, including some American nationals, had allegedly fled and could not be reached.
According to him, although Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited is already standing trial before Justice James Omotosho of a sister court, the forfeiture application was a separate action meant to secure the land for the benefit of Nigerians and the FMBN.
Justice Umar, who earlier granted an interim forfeiture order, questioned why the entire project sum was paid upfront without visible progress on the site.
The case was adjourned until October 27 for a report on compliance.
