By Martin Iyonguvihi
The Economic And Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) recently secured a final forfeiture of N116 million constituency projects alleged to be proceeds of crimes, linked to the non- execution of constituency projects awarded to Hamza Barau and Hamshakin Ventures Ltd, funded by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on behalf of some former federal lawmakers.
The forfeiture which was ordered by an Abuja Federal High Court presided by Justice A.R Mohammed involved five legislators from Benue, namely Herman Hembe; Benjamin Aboho, Emmanuel Udende and Emmanuel Orker-Jev.
Others are Abubarkar Mahmud Wambai and Anthony Madawatte, all former members of the House of Representatives from Jigawa and Gombe States.
Investigation by the EFCC, showed that, Hamza Barau and Hamshakin Ventures Ltd. actually collected a Certificate of Job Completion issued by SMEDAN and shared the project funds with the legislators, through whom the constituency projects were allotted.
The constituency projects involved the execution of Strategic Empowerment Programme in Akko, Gombe State, Conduct of Pilot Seasonal Intervention Programme in Vandeikya/Konshisha, Benue State, Execution of Strategic Empowerment Programme in Katsina-Ala/Logo/Ukum, Benue State, Intervention Programme for Ailing Enterprises in Vaneikya/Konshisha, Benue State and the supply of Motorcycles in Kiyawa, Jigawa State.
The Court had on October 14, 2019 ordered the interim forfeiture of the said amount, following an ex-parte application by the EFCC, which was published in some national dailies.
Justice Mohammed granted the order of Final Forfeiture of the money, while ruling on an application brought by the EFCC, through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.
In his judgment, Justice Mohammed noted that the EFCC had proven beyond reasonable doubts, that the said amount are proceeds of crimes as contained in the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011, and in the absence of no objection, he ordered that the N116 million be forfeited to the Federal Government.