The Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly misappropriated from the Kaduna State Government and funneled into a private account.
The funds, originally allocated for a proposed light rail project in Kaduna State, were allegedly diverted during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who led the state from 2015 to 2023. The project was never executed, depriving residents of the intended rail transport infrastructure.
Justice H. Buhari issued the forfeiture order on February 28, acting on an ex parte motion filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The anti-corruption agency traced the diverted funds to a private account and sought their recovery.
According to the ICPC, state officials funneled the money through Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig. Ltd, a joint venture established in 2016 between the Kaduna State Government and Indian investors. The commission filed its application on February 14, and its counsel, E.O. Akponimisingha, moved the motion on February 28.
Since the hearing was conducted ex parte, the affected parties were not present to contest the forfeiture. The judge directed the ICPC to publish a public notice in two national newspapers, inviting anyone with a legitimate claim to the funds to come forward and justify why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
The case has been adjourned until April 8 to allow interested parties to present their submissions before the court.
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