A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh Onubuogo to permanently forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the sum of N664m and $137,680.11.
Justice Saliu Seidu granted the order at the resumed trial of the former Perm. Sec. on Tuesday, on charges of illegally diverting the monies while he was supervising numerous programs of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).
The Former Perm Sec did not contest the forfeiture of the monies as he had opted for an out-of-court settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which was prosecuting him for the offences.
The offences were said to have been committed when Onubuogo served as Perm Sec. He, however, retired after his trial began.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed to the court that indeed the coast was clear for the out-of-court settlement following a series of agreements between the parties.
The Counsel also told the court that based on the agreements, the EFCC would be applying for the discharge of an earlier interim order of the court as regards two other 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 another property situated at number 19 Madue Nwafor Street, off Achala Ibusa Road, Asaba Delta State.
The two properties are therefore exempted from the final forfeiture order.
The EFCC had on Monday April 3, 2016 arraigned Clement O. Illoh, before the Federal High Court, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on failure to declare his assets.
The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 23(3)(c) of the Financial Crimes Commission (Establish) Act.