Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of houses and cars linked to convicted cyber-criminal Obinwanne George Okeke popularly known as Invictus Obi.
Gatekeepers News reports that 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.
On Friday, Justice Lifu made the pronouncement for the interim forfeiture of houses and cars linked to him following an ex parte motion filed and argued by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Chineye Okezie.
The houses are: “All that property lying, being and situate at House 4 Oakville Estate, Kado Kuchi, Abuja.
“All that property lying, being and situate 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.
The properties will be used to restitute foreign victims of Invictus Obi’s fraud through the United States of America Consulate, according to the anti-graft agency.
The anti-graft agency supported its application with an affidavit sworn by one of its investigators, Usman Abdulhamid.
Abdulhamid noted that Invictus Obi had already forfeited N280,555,010, N240,250,904.46 and N40,304,106.19 to the Federal Government
He added: “On further investigation by the Commission, two more properties were traced belonging to the convict, along with two vehicles parked in the residence.
“This application is pertinent in order to restitute the victims of the fraud through the United States of America Consulate.
“This matter is of very urgent public interest and concern as it directly tarnishes the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Nigeria among the comity of nations.
“The properties sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria 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.”
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 the Commission to 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.
Gatekeepers News reports that the case was adjourned till November 30 to make a final decision on the forfeiture motion.
