Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Property in Borno Over Alleged N345 Million Fraud

A Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri has ordered the interim forfeiture of a four-bedroom flat and other assets linked to an alleged investment scam involving hundreds of millions of naira.

Justice Babagana Karumi granted the order following an ex parte motion filed by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The property a four-bedroom flat on a 50ft by 100ft plot in Dikecheri Mashamari Ward, Jere Local Government Area  is suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime.

The EFCC told the court that the assets are connected to one Udda Hamid Ahmad, also known as Imam Dawud, who is under investigation for a fraudulent investment scheme. According to the anti-graft agency, the suspect allegedly approached Alhaji Ahmadu Idris between 2022 and 2023, claiming he could purchase wheat offal at a discounted price and generate substantial profits for both parties.

Trusting the representation, Idris reportedly transferred N345 million for the purported transaction, with an agreement to share the profits. However, the EFCC alleged that the funds were diverted for personal use instead of being used for the intended purchase.

EFCC counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed informed the court that the motion was supported by an eight‑paragraph affidavit from an operative who led the investigation. The agency also received a petition from the complainant, alleging misappropriation of the N345 million.

Justice Karumi granted the interim forfeiture order pending the conclusion of investigations.

In a separate development, the Federal High Court in Maiduguri issued an interim forfeiture order and froze accounts belonging to one Muhammad Abubakar. Justice Jude K. Dagat, ruling on another EFCC ex parte motion, ordered the forfeiture of a Keystone Bank account (No: 6044662000) in Abubakar’s name, along with a Tecno Camon 40 Pro and an iPhone 17 Pro Max allegedly linked to him.

The court directed that the account, funds, and devices be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government while investigations into criminal misappropriation and cheating continue.