A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and properties traced to Abidemi Rufai, an aide of the Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is facing wire fraud charges in the United States.
The court also included in the order landed property in the name of Mr Rufai who has already been suspended from his duties.
The affected property include House 11. Omodayo Awotuga Street, Bera Estate, Chevy View, Lekki, Lagos. The funds frozen are deposited in his accounts with two new generation banks.
Justice Tijjani Ringim made the order sequel to an ex parte motion filed and argued by a counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) Ebuka Okongwu.
Also joined in the suit is Rufai’s company Omo Mayodele Global Investment.
Okongwu told the court that Rufai had allegedly dissipated a suspicious N29.37million in several tranches in his bank accounts.
The judge ordered the EFCC to publish his order within 14 days for any interested party to show cause why the funds and property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case was adjourned till December 1, 2021.
Rufai was indicted for alleged conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in the United States following his arrest on May 14 in New York.
