Senate President Bukola Saraki and Supreme Court Judge Sylvester Ngwuta may have their undisclosed properties forfeited

Senate President Bukola Saraki and Supreme Court Judge Sylvester Ngwuta and other public officials being prosecuted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), may have their undisclosed properties forfeited pending the final determination of the cases.

This is according to the CCT’s new Practice Direction, 2017, released last week.

The 26-paragraph Practice Direction, which became operational on February 16, 2017, is signed by the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, and one other member of the tribunal, William Atedze.

Paragraph 12 of the document, which deals with ‘Seizures’, gives the prosecution the discretion to apply (through ex-parte motion) for temporary forfeiture of assets which are subject to the trial, pending the final determination of the case, the Punch reports.

Lawyers say since the new practice direction is a procedural framework, it will take immediate effect on ongoing cases.

Paragraph 12 reads,

“The Prosecution May, At The Commencement Of The Trial Or At A Reasonable Time Thereafter, Apply To The Tribunal For An Interim Order Of Seizure, Forfeiture, And Confiscation Of The Property, The Subject Of The Charge Pending The Final Determination Of Same By The Tribunal.

“An Application For Temporary Seizure May Be Heard In Chambers Or In Open Court By The Tribunal.

“Application For Temporary Seizure Shall Be Made Motion Ex Parte Supported By An Affidavit And Schedule Of The Property To Be So Attached.”

Saraki is being prosecuted by the Federal Government before the CCT on 18 counts including false assets declaration.

Some of Saraki’s properties which are the subject of the charges proferred against him are located at 15, 17, 17A and 17B Mcdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. Others are located at Plots 2481 and 2482 Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama, Abuja, (otherwise known as 1 and 3 Targus Street, Maitama, Abuja).

Also, Justice Ngwuta was arraigned on eight counts before the CCT on April 20.

The judge was accused of failing to declare a parcel of land and properties in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as well as some luxury cars, all belonging to him, when he declared his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016.

The Justice of the apex court is also accused in eight counts of engaging in private business as a public officer, contrary to Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.