The absence of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Monday, stalled the asset forfeiture case of former Chairperson, Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mrs. Ngozi Juliet Olejeme.
The matter with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/538/2020 borders on alleged fraud.
This medium recalls that the court had, in July, granted an order of interim forfeiture in relation to 46 properties, including houses and parcels of land, allegedly owned by Olejeme.
The 46 properties are said to be located in states like Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Abuja.
Justice Taiwo it would recall granted an order in a ruling on a motion ex-parte brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.
Taiwo had ordered the commission to publish the order in a national daily to enable anyone who was interested in the affected property to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
He then fixed July 27 as the return date.
But at the resumed hearing on Monday, while EFCC’s counsel and other lawyers were in court to continue with the proceedings, Justice Taiwo was absent.
Despite the fact that the matter was second of the 12 cases scheduled on the cause list, the court registrar informed that the judge had proceeded on leave.
The matter has now been fixed for December 2 for hearing.
