The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured interim forfeiture orders against a residential property, a bank account and other assets in two separate cases involving alleged fraud and criminal misappropriation in Borno State.
In the first case, Justice Babagana Karumi of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri ordered the temporary forfeiture of a four-bedroom house built on a 50ft by 100ft plot of land located in Dikecheri Mashamari Ward, Jere Local Government Area.
The order followed an ex parte application filed by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged N345 million investment scam.
According to court documents, the property is linked to Udda Hamid Ahmad, popularly known as Imam Dawud, who is accused of obtaining N345 million from businessman Ahmadu Idris under the pretext of purchasing wheat offal for resale and profit-sharing.
Investigators alleged that Idris transferred the funds to the suspect after being assured of substantial returns from the transaction. However, the money was allegedly diverted for personal use instead of being invested as agreed.
While moving the application, EFCC counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, argued that the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity. The application was supported by an affidavit filed by EFCC investigator Maina Muhammad, who handled the case.
Justice Karumi subsequently granted the request and ordered the interim forfeiture of the property pending the conclusion of investigations and further court proceedings.
In a separate matter, Justice Jude K. Dagat of the Federal High Court, Maiduguri, granted an interim forfeiture order over assets linked to Muhammad Abubakar, also known as Abubakar Muhammad, who is currently under investigation for alleged criminal misappropriation and cheating.
The assets affected by the order include a Keystone Bank account bearing the name Muhammad Abubakar, as well as a Tecno Camon 40 Pro and an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The EFCC’s application, supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit sworn to by investigator Suleiman Bawa, urged the court to preserve the assets pending the outcome of investigations.
After reviewing the evidence presented, Justice Dagat ordered that the bank account, any funds contained in it, and the two mobile phones be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government until investigations are completed.
The rulings represent the latest efforts by the anti-graft agency to trace, recover and preserve assets suspected to be linked to proceeds of crime while criminal investigations continue.
