Babagana Abba Dalori, a Nigerian businessman is fresh trouble as the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of his assets to the federal government over alleged fraud.
The forfeited assets include ₦335 million in various bank accounts, a hospital, and five petroleum filling stations.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling after considering a motion filed by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and reviewed the affidavits in support of the motion. I am of the view that this application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2024, was filed under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. In an affidavit supporting the motion, EFCC official Tahiru Ahmed stated that all legal conditions had been met for the final forfeiture.
According to Ahmed, the court had granted an interim forfeiture order on August 13, 2024, and directed the EFCC to publish a public notice in a national newspaper and on its official website inviting any interested party to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.
“The said orders of the court were complied with, and the publication was made in Punch newspapers on the 4th of September, 2024,” he stated. Since then, no one has come forward to claim ownership of the assets.
Ahmed added, “Approving the final forfeiture would serve the interest of justice, as it would not prejudice any party.”
The forfeited assets include:
Residential duplex (No. Bo/12340, Maiduguri, Borno State)
Apartments and plots in Abuja, Borno, Nasarawa, and Niger States
Galaxy Hospital, Bolori Layout, Maiduguri
Four-bedroom duplex in Guzape District, Abuja
Five filling stations in Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Konduga
10 hectares of land for a proposed filling station
Farmlands and plots in Maiduguri, Dakwa Town, and Gaube
Also ordered forfeited were account balances in the following companies and individuals:
Galaxy Transportation and Communication Service Ltd – ₦281,455,454
Galaxy Computing and Electronics Service Ltd – ₦6,977,195
Galaxy Energy Int’l Concept Ltd – ₦1,240,588
Galaxy Transportation & Construction S. – ₦43,705,469.55
Other accounts listed with zero balances include: Galaxy Transport & Construct Service, Galaxy Superstores & Pharmacy, Galaxy Intercontinental Miners Concept Ltd, and Abba Babagana Dalori.
Dalori and his company, Galaxy Transportation and Construction Services, were re-arraigned on September 3, 2019, before Justice Muawiyah Baba Idris at a High Court in Abuja on a 12-count charge involving ₦95.5 million, bordering on criminal breach of trust and obtaining money under false pretence.
One of the charges read: “That you, Babagana Abba Dalori and Galaxy Transportation and Construction Services Limited, sometime in September 2017 at Abuja… obtained the sum of ₦95,530,000 from one Asiya Aliyu Bala, under false pretence that the money would be invested in the business of buying and selling special trips of excavated sand…”
Another count stated:
“That you… sometime in October 2017… being entrusted with the sum of ₦15,954,000, belonging to Maryam Halilu Ahmed, dishonestly converted it to your own use…”
Dalori pleaded not guilty. EFCC counsel Maryam Aminu Ahmed requested his remand in EFCC custody pending hearing, arguing he was still under investigation and could jeopardize the case.
The judge granted the application, remanding Dalori in EFCC custody and adjourning for bail hearing.
Dalori had previously been arrested by the EFCC for allegedly defrauding over 20,700 investors to the tune of ₦7 billion through fake investment promises, including offers of up to 200% returns. He was remanded in Kuje Prisons in June 2019 over a separate allegation involving one Abubakar Hajara.