Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of two houses and cars linked to convicted cyber criminal, Obinwanne George Okeke, also known as ‘Invictus Obi’, to the Federal Government.

The order was sequel to the granting of an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Arguing the motion, EFCC’s lawyer, Chineye Okezie, told the court that the forfeited items will be used to restitute foreign victims of Invictus Obi’s fraudulent acts through the United States of America Consulate.

According to the lawyer, the two houses were; a 5-bedroom Duplex located at Standard Estate, Kabusa, Abuja and another one situated at House 4 Oakville Estate, Kado Kuchi, Abuja, while the vehicles are; a Toyota Corolla with Registration Number: RBC6238N and an unregistered Toyota Corolla Sport.

After listening to Okezie’s submissions, Justice Lifu granted the ex-parte motion.

“I have listened to the submissions 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 held.

Justice Lifu also ordered the EFCC 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 made permanent.

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to November 30.

In an affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by one of its operatives, Usman Abdulhamid, EFCC noted that Invictus Obi had already forfeited N280,555,010, N240,250,904.46 and N40,304,106.19 to the Federal Government

It was added that upon further investigation, two more property and two vehicles parked in Invictus Obi’s residence were traced out.

(New Telegraph)

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