Land Dispute: Business Woman Petitions EFCC Chairman over Alleged Persecution

Akinwale Akintunde

A business woman, Mrs. Moji Yakubu has petitioned the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu over an alleged miscarriage of justice by his officials.

In the petition date July 19, 2016, Mrs. Yakubu through her lawyer, Mr. Yemi Adeshina alleged that some officials of the commission carrying out the orders of some unknown persons framed up a charge of stealing of a 10 hectares of land located at Sangotedo against his client Adeshina noted that his client rightfully purchased the 10 hectares of land from its owners, Onibeju Royal Family for N100 million and that a deed of assignment was duly executed by both parties.

According to Adeshina, some members of the Onibeju Royal Family had initially petitioned the EFCC over alleged fraudulent activities of one Miss Folashade Ogundare whom the family had withdrawn the power of attorney over the piece of land from.

He alleged that while investigation was still ongoing over the family’s alleged N4 billion fraud against Miss Ogundare, the matter took a different twist as the family members who took the matter to the commission became suspects.

In a more shocking development, Adeshina stated that the commission last year slammed an 11 count criminal charge of stealing against his client and nine members of the Onibeju family.

The lawyer said, in a move to further intimidate his client, Mrs. Yakubu, the commission further proceeded to freeze her company’s account, Monan Trading Company Ltd, without a valid order from any court.
The freeze on the company’s account was however lifted earlier this year as the trial judge, Justice Ipaye lambasted the commission for the flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

The judge, who described the EFCC’s action as illegal, promptly ordered that the account be reopened.
According to Adeshina, Justice Ipaye also made some observations on the charge which indicated that the 10 hectares of land was stolen instead of being trespassed on.

The court has since fixed July 26, 2016 for ruling on the matter.
While the decision of the court is pending, Mr. Adeshina stated that the commission secretly went before another court and obtained a suspicious injunction for temporary forfeiture of her Monan Garden Estate located in Lekki.
Adeshina said that since that forfeiture order was executed, his client has been subjected to all manner of ridicule and negative media publicity.

Adeshina appealed to the EFCC Chairman to personally look into the matter so as to mitigate the injustice being meted out to his client.