Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has denied ever buying any property in Maitama District, Abuja, from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Background:

Attorney-General of the federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami was reported to have said the property worth N1 billion was sold to “a Lagos lawyer”.

The property said to have been recovered by the presidential task force on pension reform, was linked to Abdulrasheed Maina, who is currently wanted by the EFCC.

What Falana said:

In a statement on Saturday, Malami said he never bought any property from the EFCC.

He added that the house in question was one of the assets used to collaterise a loan obtained from Bank PHB by A Group Properties “over 10 years ago”.

“Hence, I have decided to join issues with Malami over his false claim that the EFCC had sold the property in question to me.”

“Contrary to Malami’s claim I never bought any property from the EFCC”.

Falana added, “He (Malami) would also have found that the property is a subject matter of a suit which is currently pending before the federal high court sitting at Abuja. (See Suit No /2015 between Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria v A Group Properties Limited).

“The suit was instituted by AMCON due to the failure of the company to liquidate the loan. In granting the ex parte application filed by AMCON in the matter the court ordered an interim forfeiture of the assets of A Group Properties Limited including No 42, Gana Street, Maitama District, Abuja. The said order was granted on November 11, 2015.

“However, in a bid to pay the loan, A Group Properties Limited decided to sell some of the properties. The sale of the property in question to me was made subject to the setting aside of the order of interim forfeiture which had been obtained by AMCON.

“Up till now, the case has not been concluded as the parties have asked for time to resolve the dispute amicably and file terms of settlement. To that extent, the transaction on the property remains inchoate.”

He added, “Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, Maina’s allegation that the management of the EFCC sold the property at No 42, Gana Street, Maitama District, Abuja or any property to me is a figment of his fecund imagination for mischief.”

Azeez