Stella Oduah: EFCC To Appeal Vacation Of Forfeiture Order

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is dissatisfied with the ruling of the federal high court on the vacation of an interim forfeiture order regarding some assets traced to former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah.

The court on Monday, ordered a vacation of the order,

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in the ruling, struck out the EFCC’s counter-affidavit on the ground that it “was filed out of time without first seeking the court’s leave for an extension of time to file”.

But reacting to the ruling, the EFCC in a statement issued by its Spokesman, said it was dissatisfied with the ruling, adding that it would file an appeal against it “accordingly.”

The EFCC had applied for the interim forfeiture order in furtherance of its investigation of allegation that Oduah  diverted part of the N9.5 billion fund meant for the provision of security equipment in some airports during her tenure as aviation minister.

The EFCC had claimed, in an affidavit supporting its application for the forfeiture order, that Oduah, who was Aviation Minister between 2012 and 2014, allegedly connived with banks officials to divert the fund and allegedly used the money to procure broadcast equipment for Crystal Television Ltd., newspaper printing press, six dredgers and quarry.