Court orders final forfeiture of ex-Gov Yari’s money in Zenith, Polaris banks

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the final forfeiture of former Governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari’s funds domiciled in Zenith and Polaris Banks.

The funds include $56,056.75 in Polaris Bank; N12.9 million, N11.2 million, $301,319.99, N217, 388.04 and $311,872.15 in different Zenith Bank accounts in the name of Yari and his companies.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, in a judgment, held that the former governor had not shown good cause why the order sought by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should not be granted.

The 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.

It was reported that while Yari was the 1st respondent in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/916/2019, his two companies; Kayatawa Nigeria Ltd and B. T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd were 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo had, on Aug. 16. 2019, granted the order for interim forfeiture of the assets in an exparte motion brought by the commission’s lawyer, Osuobeni Akponimisingha.

The ICPC had alleged that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.