The moves by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to seize properties belonging to the immediate-past governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has been stopped by a Division of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who halted the moves in a ruling on the former governor’s ex parte application, ordered parties to the case to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.
The defendants in the suit are the ICPC and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Yari’s lawyer, Mamhud Magaji SAN, had moved the ex parte application on Friday alleging that the ICPC had sealed off one of his client’s houses and inscribed on it “under investigation” without the backing of any court order.
Meanwhile, in his ruling, Justice Taiwo restrained the two respondents from interfering with Yari’s rights under sections 34, 35, 37, 41 and 43 of the Constitution.
Prior to now, Justice Taiwo had granted an ex parte application by the ICPC, for the interim forfeiture of six bank accounts belonging to Yari and two other firms; Kayatawa Nigeria Limited and B.T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited linked to him.
The judge held that the Friday’s order of interim forfeiture of the bank accounts was not affected by the latest ruling.
Yari, in the suit filed, seeks among others, an order “restraining the respondents from seizing, impounding, taking over, confiscating or otherwise forfeiting the assets and properties of the applicant wherever they may be located within Nigeria or anywhere else in the world pending the hearing and determination of the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Yari alleged that the ICPC’s move against him was a witch-hunt, saying that he had been a target “of intimidation, arrest, and detention based on spurious allegations by some powerful elements of the ruling party against him to the agents of the 1st defendant (AGF) and the 2nd defendant ICPC).”
