We write in response to a news item of the above title on page 11 of the Daily Trust newspaper of Friday March 22, 2019; an online medium, The Cable; and others.
In the report, the Director-General of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Jacqueline W. Farris, in a statement denies ownership of one of the properties in the name of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation which the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had announced its seizure in a news release, over tax issues as reported to it by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The statement by Farris purports that the Commission has recanted on the earlier notice it had put out in respect of the ownership of that particular property. A quote from the statement reads: “Following our request for clarification, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has confirmed that their reference is not to the Shehu Musa Yar”Adua Foundation, RC No. 350618…”
This does not represent the true position of things.
ICPC reiterates here that from the records of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Department of Land Administration, the property in question is registered in the name of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, and in line with its powers of seizure as provided in Section 37 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, the Commission has by public notice effected seizure of the property.
On account of this therefore, ICPC wishes the general public to note that it stands by its earlier news release that one of the seized properties marked for possible forfeiture is listed in the name of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation.