Kayode Oyin Zubair Appeals Forfeiture Ruling, Heads To Court Of Appeal
A former Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Community Development, Mr. Kayode Oyin Zubair, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, challenging the ruling of the Kwara State High Court which ordered the forfeiture of his two tractors and two tricycles to the Federal Government.
The appeal, marked CA/IL/2025 and filed on Friday, July 25th, 2025, is contesting the entire decision delivered by Hon. Justice H.A. Saleeman in Suit No. KWS/294M/2024, which granted a final order of forfeiture in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Zubair, through his legal counsel, Dr. Adeola Omotunde, SAN, is asking the appellate court to set aside the ruling, citing grave procedural irregularities and alleged disobedience of court orders by the EFCC.
The appellant’s major contention is that the EFCC failed to comply with a crucial condition attached to the interim forfeiture order made by the lower court on November 19, 2024, which mandated the Commission to publish a notice of forfeiture in The Nation newspaper. The failure to comply with this order, according to the appeal, renders the entire forfeiture proceedings null and void.
“The lower court erred in law by refusing to set aside its interim order of forfeiture despite the Respondent’s failure to comply with a clear and unambiguous order of court,” the appeal reads in part.
Zubair’s legal team further argued that the High Court lacked the jurisdiction to make a final forfeiture order in circumstances where the Respondent was in contempt of court, insisting that a party in disobedience of a court order should not benefit from the discretionary powers of the same court.
“The court’s decision has occasioned a miscarriage of justice, and we are urging the Court of Appeal to intervene to protect the sanctity of judicial orders,” Dr. Omotunde, SAN, said.
The Appellant has expressed confidence in the judiciary to rectify what he described as a “travesty of due process.”
The EFCC, which had secured the initial interim forfeiture order, is yet to file a response to the appeal at the time of this report.
Legal analysts following the case describe the development as a significant legal battle that could set a precedent in matters of asset forfeiture and enforcement of court orders.
The matter is expected to come up for hearing in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the report credited to the Correspondent of Western Post newspaper, Mosun Ayobami on the court proceeding in respect of the matter has been described as misleading and incorrect in contents, interpretation and representation.
The matter in question is civil in nature and the issues of conviction of Kayode Oyin -Zubair never arose and couldn't have in the circumstance.
The transaction between SEAP and Kayode Oyin -Zubair 's alleged company was contractual and public fund was not involved stating further that Kayode Oyin -Zubair only used his connection to facilitate the loan with SEAP to the transporters.
No comments