Justice Abdulaziz Anka gave the order while ruling on a motion ex-parte filed by the EFCC seeking that Ozakhome’s account be temporarily frozen.
The sum is said to have been uncovered by the EFCC.
EFCC’s prayer is on the ground that the N75 million deposited in the said account on December 15, 2016, is suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Arguing the application filed by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Idris Mohammed, informed the court that the application was brought pursuant to Section 29 of the EFCC Act.
Mohammed informed the court that three exhibits marked 01, 02 and 03 were attached to the motion ex-parte.
He said an affidavit of urgency, sworn to by an investigator of the agency, Tosin Owobo, was also attached to the application.
Mohammed, therefore, urged the court to grant the motion ex-parte and order a temporary forfeiture of funds in the account for 120 days.
Delivering a bench ruling on the motion, Justice Anka ordered that Ozekhome’s account with the N75 million be forfeited for 120 days.
The judge, however, said any party, dissatisfied with the ruling, could file an appeal.
Ozekhome has reacted, saying the N75 million frozen by EFCC) was a part payment of legal fees by Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose.
He said it's for legal services he rendered to the governor in his personal capacity, and to his aides.
“For the records, the N75 million was paid into my account by my client, Governor Fayose as part payment of professional fees for the numerous cases my chambers is currently handling for him (in his personal capacity) and his aides across Nigeria. The money is neither ‘suspected proceeds of crime’ or of money laundering,” he said in a statement.
- When as much as N75m is just "part payment" to defend cases, no wonder it pays to loot Billions in Nigeria and hire a SAN. Politicians and Senior Advocates are running things. Smh!!
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