Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, June 14, 2018 ordered an interim forfeiture of a sum of $75,000 recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from one Kupoluyi Oluleke, to the Federal Government.
The judge gave the order, following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC.
Investigations began following intelligence report about a fund transfer of $75,000.00 received by Oluleke from one Maltos Javier Rios, a United States of America national.
Upon receipt of the report, the EFCC launched investigations into the suspicious transfer and eventually arrested the respondent in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oluleke was said to have claimed that the money was sent to him by Rio, whom he described as a business associate, to facilitate an estate development plan worth the sum of $1,000,000.
However, Rios was said to have denied knowing the suspect or even visiting Nigeria.
Rio, who alleged that his computer was hacked, also said that he once received a call from someone who claimed to work with Apple, requesting for his password to do a system upgrade, which he gladly obliged.
Rio further claimed that he subsequently received a call that the money in his account was mistakenly sent to him and that he should transfer the money to Oluleke’s account in Nigeria, which he did.
Items found in possession of the suspect include a driver’s licence belonging to Rio and the supposed agreement.
In her ruling, Justice Olatoregun ordered an interim forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.
The judge further directed the applicant to publish the order in a national newspaper within 14 days for anyone who is interested in the money to appear before the court to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
