..Interpol, EFCC may uncover more properties

Reports indicate a recent investigation has revealed how controversial ex-banker and former nominee to the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission [ICPC], board nominee, Maimuna Aliyu acquired a Dubai property worth $3.05m, over N1.2 billion at an exchange rate of N360 to $1.

Reports show the money may have come from long years of alleged misappropriation, contract scams and diversion of public funds.

Sources close to her inner dealings confided with newsmen that Aliyu served as a front for some top corrupt politicians, who are not unconnected with the attempt to smuggle her into ICPC to defend their  alleged selfish course.

Recall that the ex-banker, on October 18, 2017 was listed by an Abuja High Court Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba as among those who served as proxy to the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, Bala Mohammed in some unlawful property dealings in and around Abuja, whose values are in excess of N3 billion.

Contained in a letter personally written and signed by Aliyu on the 2nd of October, 2015, which she addressed to the Minister, Ministry of foreign Affairs in order to reclaim the asset estimated at $3.05m are details surrounding the transaction.

The billion naira investment, according to the letter which was exclusively sourced, was sold to the ex-banker between 2011 and 2012 by Dubai Lifestyle City.

A section of the letter read thus:

“I gave.. an initial deposit of $250,000 and by 16th of May 2011, I gave additional $300,000 bringing the total to $550000.

“By 5/10/2011, I gave him additional $1.1m … In 2012, I paid additional $600000 bringing the total to $2.25m. By April of 2013 I paid additional $805000. Bringing the total to $3.05m to Dubai lifestyle city through their representative all in cash except for the last $800000 that was transferred from SunTrust Bank in America (Atlanta).

The transfer was done by April 18, 2013, the money had hit their account in Dubai and confirmed by Elias as received.”

High level security sources disclosed that investigations by the EFCC in collaboration with the Dubai authorities may have traced more properties in that country to the former Executive Director and some of her cohorts who are top officials of the immediate past government.

Aliyu’s role in Bala’s fraud case

In one of the affidavits tendered by EFCC, on the fraud case with the foreign minister, Bala, a four bedroom fully detached duplex with boys quarters at 103 Cadastral Zone A05, Maitama and House No. 2A No, 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, properties that were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities were registered under Maimuna Aliyu’s name.

In a new application filed by EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Ben Ikani, against former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsuddeen, Aliyu was alleged to have served as proxy to the former minister in unlawful property dealings in and around Abuja while he was in office.

The commission said the properties were held in the names of different companies and Maimuna Aliyu, was described as Mohammed’s proxy, who was allegedly, used to acquire the houses at 1A and 2A of No. 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.

In his ruling last week, Justice Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the temporary forfeiture of the said assets.

The federal government in August withdrew Aliyu’s nomination to the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission after, allegedly, discovering she was being investigated for corrupt practices by EFCC.

A three-count charge of abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds and criminal breach of trust was slammed against her on August 15 by the ICPC.