Controversial investigative journalist, Kemi Olunloyo queried the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) why they moved for the forfeiture of N280,555,010.65 found in the bank accounts belonging to the companies own by embattled Obiwanne Okeke.
Obinnwanne Okeke was arrested in August this year by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation as the ringleader of a cybercrime syndicate, which had defrauded a number of American citizens to the tune of $11m “through fraudulent wire transfer instructions in a massive coordinated business email compromise scheme.”
While his trial is ongoing in the US, EFCC went to court to get an order from a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, October 7th for the temporary forfeiture of his money to the Federal Government.
Kemi sought to know why the EFCC went to seek forfeiture of the money instead of going for freezing of the account, especially since the accused is still standing trial and has not been found guilty yet.
EFCC’s replied:
“Attention @HNNAfrica, our law mentions FORFEITURE, not FREEZING. Only the court can give order for both INTERIM and FINAL forfeitures. Interim forfeiture order is given when the Judge is satisfied that there is a prima facie evidence of it liable to forfeiture. Thank you.”
