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Laila, the wife of Abdulrasheed Maina, the convicted former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), has lost a total of 20 properties valued at millions of naira to the federal government.
This forfeiture followed a final court order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, July 5.
These properties were said to be owned by Laila herself and some “relatives” of Abdulrasheed Maina, the convicted PRTT chairman.
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Laila, who claimed U.S. citizenship, along with Maina’s relatives and associates including Uwani Usman, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Wambai, Haruna Mu’azu Musa, and Aliyu Abdullahi, had asserted ownership of the 23 properties. However, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in her judgment, dismissed their claims.
The judge ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sufficiently proven beyond reasonable doubt that these properties, located across various parts of the country, were acquired through illegal means. Justice Abdulmalik emphasized that the EFCC had fulfilled its legal obligation to establish that the properties were obtained with proceeds of crime.
Furthermore, the judge noted that the individuals who responded to an earlier interim forfeiture order, which required interested parties to justify why the properties should not be permanently forfeited, failed to substantiate their ownership claims with credible evidence.
Among the 23 properties listed, three were excluded: Flat 42C, SMC Quarters, Unguwan Dosa, Kaduna; Plot 18, Road F, on TPO 462B C of O Kd5469; and Plot of C of O Bo/426 Beacon B5086, B5087, B5105, B5104, B5099 Cadastral Zone B05 Utako.
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Earlier, the EFCC had obtained an interim forfeiture order for these 23 properties linked to Maina, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence for pension fraud amounting to N2 billion.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Abdulmalik concurred with EFCC counsel Farouk Abdullah, stating that those claiming ownership of the properties failed to adequately prove their alleged ownership with credible evidence.
She said: “It is trite in law that civil cases in non-conviction forfeiture are hinged on the preponderance of evidence.
“Again, I hold that the respondents have failed woefully in tilting the scale of evidential weight in their favour.
“In all, sequel to the facts and documentary detailed evidence relied on by the applicant (the EFCC) in support of this application for final forfeiture, I do hold that the evidential burden of proof indeed shifted to the claimants to establish by way of cogent documentary evidence, the sequential trail of the genesis of their finances leading to the buildup as well as the the acquisition of the aforementioned properties subject of interim forfeiture.
“In view of this grave omission on the part of the claimants (Maina, his wife and his associates) to show good and credible cause on the history of their legitimate earnings, I hereby find merit in applicant’s application for final forfeiture of properties Nos: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 and 23 set out in schedule one, attached to the order of interim forfeiture, save properties No: 3, 14 and 20. I so order.”
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The affected properties are located in Abuja, Nasarawa, State Kaduna State and Kano State.They include;
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- Plot No: 965 Gwarimpa 1 District, Cadastral Zone: CO2, covered by C of O No: 1afew-fe28z-63a5r-e36eu-10.
- Duplex located at No: 16 A Katuru Road, Kaduna.
- 52B, SMC Quarters, Unguwan Dosa, Lot 016, comprising of 3 bedroom semi-detached bungalow.
- Property at Tola Street, Badarawa, Kaduna, comprising of three bedrooms and an undeveloped land.
- Plot Y12, Kano Street, Kawo New Extension, Kaduna.
- A duplex located at No: 21, 52 Crescent , Kubwa Phase 1V estate
- House 8, 211 Road, a close numbered FHA/EST/264/TA/032.l, 3 bedrooms bungalow.
- Farm at Dorawa, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
- Another farm at Dorawa, Karshi Development Area, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
- Plot 3A, Sambo Road, Unguwan Rimi, covered by C of O No: KD15452.
- Plot MF-27A, New Pasafi Layout, Kuje, Abuja.
- Plot 1B Ajayi Road, Unguwan Rimi, covered by C of O numbered: NC24059
- Block 23 Flat 2 located at Life Camp (2 bedroom semi-detached.
- Property at No: 62 A/C Maternity ward , Damaturu Road, Biu
- Plot 3A, Sambo Road, Unguwan Rimi covered by C of O No: KD15452 comprising of uncomplicated buildings.
- Plot covered by C of O B426 beacon: B5086; B5087; B5105; B5104; B5099 at Cadastral Zone B05, Utako.
- No: 16 Dabai Road, off Mangoro Road, Sokoto State.
- No. 13 Korau Road, Nasarawa District, Kano.
- Plot 965 Cadastral Zone C02, Gwarimpa, FCT.
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