BREAKING: Ex-Zamfara Gov ‘Loses’ Millions As Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Monies Lodged In Zenith, Polaris Banks

A federal high court sitting in Abuja has ordered a final forfeiture to the federal government of about N284, 306, 294.04 linked to former governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, which were lodged at Zenith and Polaris banks.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the court gave the final forfeiture order, saying that Yari could not prove how he made the huge sum of monies while or before serving as governor of the state (29 May 2011 – 29 May 2019).

Yari and two companies belonging to him (Kayatawa Nigeria Limited and B.T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited) were indicted for alleged fraud and were dragged to the court by the federal government through the Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Recall that Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who had granted an interim order on those monies in August 16, 2019, told the respondents to exonerate themselves from the ICPC allegations.

The ICPC had accused the former governor of illicitly taken the money from the Zamfara State treasury to the detriment of his state.

The monies deposited at the two banks were 687,874.81 dollars and about 24,289,522.89 naira.

In his arguments, Yari (who was represented during the judgement by Kelechi.U Esq.) claimed that he was rich before becoming the governor of the state.

His counsel also urged the court to set aside the interim order earlier filed against him.

In her judgement, Ojukwu queried how one of Yari’s company’s bank accounts grew from zero to 301,319 dollars at the end of his tenure.

She said Yari cannot claim the monies were his without showing evidence.

She also dismissed the allegation that it was political witch-hunt.

Subsequently, she forfeited the entire sum to the federal government.

“There is nothing wrong in having huge sum of monies in one’s account but what the law requires is that such proceeds should emanate from legitimates sources or businesses; the respondents who have been given opportunity to tell their story, have failed to provide evidence for such legitimate income.

“The respondents have not countered the case and facts presented by the applicants.

“The respondents having failed to establish the legitimate source of the monies as stated in this case, the honorable court hereby makes an order of final forfeiture of the following :

“An order of final forfeiture of the sum of 12, 912, 848.68 naira being proceeds of some unlawful activity stashed in Zenith Bank Plc… in the name of Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari.

“An order of final forfeiture of the sum of $57, 056.75 being proceeds of some unlawful activity stashed in Polaris Bank with account number…in the name of Abdulazeez Abubakar Yari.

“An order of final forfeiture of the sum of N11, 159, 674 .17, being proceeds of some unlawful activity stashed in Zenith Bank Plc…in the name of Kayatawa Nigeria Limited.

“An order of final forfeiture of the sum of $319, 000.91 being proceed of some unlawful activity stashed in Zenith Bank Plc…in the name of Kayatawa Nigeria Limited.

“An order of final forfeiture of the sum of N217, 000.04 being proceeds of some unlawful activity stashed in Zenith Bank Plc…in the name of B.T Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.

“An order of final forfeiture of the sum of $311, 817.15 being proceeds of some unlawful activity stashed in Zenith Bank Plc… the name of B.T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.

“The orders as identified and stated above shall be and are hereby forfeited to the federal government,” she said on Tuesday.