FIRS Staff Asset Forfeiture: Court Orders Final Seizure of Properties Linked to Aminu Garunbaba

By DAYO ADESULU

A staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Aminu Sidi Garunbaba, has forfeited his asset to Federal Government of Nigeria as the Federal High Court in Abuja officially ordered. The decision is a major development in the ongoing efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat corruption and illicit wealth acquisition in public service.

Details of the FIRS Staff Asset Forfeiture

Justice Obiora Egwuatu delivered the judgment on Thursday, declaring that Garunbaba failed to provide legal documentation to justify the acquisition of the seized assets. The properties involved include:

• A four-bedroom terrace maisonette with boys’ quarters located in Barumark Groove Estate, Plot 667, Cadastral Zone BO3, Wuye District, Abuja. The property was allegedly bought under the name MYZ Venture.
• Another residential property at No. 5, Lodge Road, Kano, Kano State.

Justice Egwuatu ruled that Garunbaba could not establish the legitimacy of the funds used to purchase these properties. “A person cannot be allowed to benefit from illegitimate acts,” the judge stated, dismissing the preliminary objection raised by Garunbaba.

EFCC Presents Evidence of Corruption in FIRS

The EFCC, represented by counsel Martha Babatunde, presented a compelling case under the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. According to the anti-graft agency, the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

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An affidavit submitted by EFCC operative Apagu Wudah revealed that between 2017 and 2018, Garunbaba and other FIRS staff engaged in large-scale fraud involving Duty Tour Allowances (DTA). Fictitious travel claims were made, and the funds were withdrawn and distributed among officials.

Millions Diverted Through Fraudulent DTA Claims

According to the EFCC investigation:

• Garunbaba personally received over N341 million from fraudulent DTA payments.
• He converted N148 million for personal use.
• Over N216 million was exchanged to U.S. dollars through a Bureau De Change operator, Mr. Wan Jafar Shehu.
• The funds were allegedly distributed among top FIRS officials, including:
  • Peter Hena: N145 million
  • Bello Auta: N95 million
  • Aminu Sidi: N29.3 million

These cash transfers were reportedly made within the FIRS offices, and significant sums were also deposited into Garunbaba’s Stanbic IBTC account.

Illicit Funds Used for Property Acquisition

The EFCC’s investigation revealed the two seized properties were acquired during the period Garunbaba was actively receiving and diverting fraudulent DTA payments.

• The Abuja property was bought for N65 million from Barumark Investment and Development Company Ltd, with payments made from Garunbaba’s First Bank account.
• The Kano property was purchased for N39 million from Alakhillau Enterprises, operated by Adamu Muhammed.

Given his status as a public servant with a fixed salary, Garunbaba’s declared income could not support these purchases, reinforcing the EFCC’s case for asset forfeiture.

Judgment Upholds Transparency and Accountability

Justice Egwuatu emphasized the responsibility of public servants to maintain financial transparency. He stated that Garunbaba failed to establish a legitimate income source for the acquired assets and dismissed his objection, citing that the EFCC followed due legal process.

The ruling is a significant win for the EFCC, as the judgment reaffirms the agency’s legal authority to investigate and prosecute public officers involved in corruption without waiting for internal disciplinary procedures.

Implications of the FIRS Staff Asset Forfeiture

This case highlights the deep-rooted corruption within public institutions and underlines the importance of continuous efforts to sanitize Nigeria’s public sector. The final forfeiture of Garunbaba’s properties sends a strong signal that the judiciary will not condone abuse of office.

As the EFCC continues to track illicit funds and enforce transparency, it is expected that more public officers will be held accountable for their actions.

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