A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday ordered a former Permanent Secretary Dr Clement Illoh Onubuogo who was alleged to have been involved in the Sure-p scam to permanently forfeit the sum of N664m to the Federal Government of Nigeria ( FGN ).
Justice Saliu Seidu granted the order Tuesday at the resume trial of the Clement Illoh Onubuogo, a former permanent secretary in the Ministry of labour and Productivity.
Lawyer to Onubuogo, Mr TS Awana informed the court that his client has two applications, one challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the other for discharge of the earlier order of the court granting the interim forfeiture of the properties in question.
Awana however, added that the case being a civil case and the discussion between his client and the EFCC on the need to settle out of court, he would be withdrawing the two applications.
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo in his submission confirmed the position of the move to settle out of court and stated that he will not be opposing the withdrawal of the two motions filed by the defendant and urged the court to strike out the motions for the coast to be clear for out of court settlement.
While making further submission Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that based on the discussion and agreement reached between the parties EFCC would be applying for the discharge of an earlier interim order of the court as regards two of the properties being sought to be forfeited to the government.
The properties are Clement Illoh’s Mansion located at Ikom Quarters, Issala Azegba, Delta State and the property lying and situated at number 19 Madue Nwafor Street off Achala Ibuzor Road, Asaba Delta State.
He then urged the court to discharge the earlier order of the court as regards the two properties only.