A former governor of Zamfara State Abdulaziz Yari, has appealed against the judgment of a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja which ordered him to forfeit N248m to the Federal Government.
The Media aide to the former governor, Mayowa Oluwabiyi, said this in a statement in Abuja, on Sunday.
He assured members of the public that the appellate court would vindicate Yari.
Oluwabiyi said Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, last Tuesday, ruled that Yari should forfeit $669,248 and N24.3m to the government.
He, however, said, the court gave Yari, 14 days to show cause why he should not forfeit the money.
The statement read in part, “The former governor had no reason to fear because he declared all the companies and businesses, he had to the Code of Conduct Bureau on assumption of office.
“The CCB had cleared all the businesses. The ex-governor’s legal team had already begun the process of appealing the judgement at the Court of Appeal
“We hereby enjoin members of the public to await the final determination of the case and expressed optimism that the verdict will vindicate the former governor.”
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja last Tuesday ordered a final forfeiture of N284, 306, 294.04 linked to Yari, to the Federal Government.
The money was said to have been lodged with Zenith Bank and Polaris Bank.
Justice Ojukwu, who gave the final forfeiture order, said, Yari could not prove the source of the funds traced to him.
Yari and two companies belonging linked to him (Kayatawa Nig. Ltd and B.T. Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd.) were indicted for alleged fraud and were dragged to the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission.
