The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of two properties connected to Aminu Garunbaba, a staff member of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), to the Federal Government. The properties include a four-bedroom terrace maisonette in Wuye District, Abuja, and another property located on Lodge Road in Kano State.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that Garunbaba failed to provide evidence of the legitimate source of funds used to purchase the properties, stating, “A person cannot be allowed to benefit from illegitimate acts.” The court dismissed Garunbaba’s preliminary objections, affirming that he did not prove that the EFCC’s claims violated the Evidence Act.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed the suit, arguing that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The investigation revealed that between 2017 and 2018, Garunbaba and others conspired to obtain millions of Naira from the FIRS under the guise of Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) for trips that never occurred.
The EFCC’s affidavit detailed how Garunbaba received over N341 million from these fraudulent DTA payments, which he subsequently converted to cash and used to purchase the properties. The court found that the assets were acquired while Garunbaba was misappropriating funds, affirming the forfeiture to the Federal Government.
