A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the permanent forfeiture of ₦664 million and $137,680 belonging to Dr. Clement Illoh Onubuogo, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

The order which was issued by Justice Saliu Saidu was sequel to the granting of an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the permanent forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

Another judge of the same court, Justice Abdul-Azeez Anka had on August 17, 2017, while granting an ex-parte application by the anti-graft agency, ordered the permanent forfeiture of the money believed to be illegal proceeds from the Sure-P scam.

The Judge also ordered the temporary forfeiture of a multi-million naira property located at Ikom Quarters, Issala-Izegba in Delta State and a hotel located at No. 19 Madue Nwafor Street, off Achala Ibuzo Road, Asaba also in Delta State to the Federal Government.

Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC while moving the application for the forfeiture and supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit and two exhibits, said the application was pursuant to Section 17 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act No. 14, 2014.

Illoh’s lawyer, T. S. Awhana had earlier informed the court of his intention to withdraw two motions filed on behalf of his client – one challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter while the other was seeking for the discharge of the interim order of forfeiture.

Awhana said the decision to withdraw the motions was due to  ongoing discussions with the EFCC on the need to settle the matter out of court, adding that he was therefore not opposed to the forfeitures and withdrawal of the motions.

Out of the ₦664 million forfeited by Mr. Onubuogo, ₦129.8 million was said to have been recovered from 12 of his accomplices, most of whom are Bureau de Change operators.

The Permanent Secretary is currently facing trial before another judge of the court, Justice Babs Kuewumi on a three-count charge of allegedly hiding the sums of ₦97.3 million, $139,575.50 and £10,121.52 in an undisclosed Nigerian bank.