A former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has dismissed media reports that he has finally forfeited $669,248 and N24.3 million to the Federal Government.
A statement by his spokesperson, Mayowa Oluwabiyi, on Sunday said although Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ruled that Yari should forfeit $669,248 and N24.3 million to the government, the court gave him 14 days to show cause why he should not forfeit the money.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had instituted a suit, praying the court for the former governor to show cause why the money under investigation should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
“Proceeds of unlawful activity”
The ICPC had alleged that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
The statement said the ex-governor’s legal team has already begun the process of appealing the judgement at the court of appeal.
According to the statement, the former governor had no reason to fear because he declared all the companies and businesses he had to the Code of Conduct Bureau on assumption of office.
It further said that the CCB had cleared all the businesses.
It enjoined members of the public to await the final determination of the case and expressed optimism that it will vindicate the former governor.
In August 2019, a federal high court in Abuja granted permission to ICPC to freeze various sums of money in bank accounts traced to the former governor of Zamfara State, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the permission when he ruled on an ex parte motion filed by ICPC ordering that all the accounts containing $669, 248.89 and N24.3 million, domiciled with Polaris and Zenith banks respectively, be frozen.
