The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that no one has come forward to claim the $43,449,947 (about N13 billion), N23, 218,000 and £27,800 (about N10.6milion) cash found in an apartment on Osborne Road, Ikoyi Lagos.

It, therefore, prayed Justice Muslim Hassan to make an order of final forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

The judge, while ordering a temporary forfeiture of the money on April 13, directed EFCC to advertise the order in a newspaper so that anybody who owns the money can claim it within 14 days.

EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said no one showed up in court to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had reportedly claimed ownership of the money found at Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, following which the Federal Government launched a probe and suspended NIA Director-General Ayodele Oke.

EFCC, in an affidavit in support of the application for final forfeiture of the sums, deposed to by a Detective Inspector Mohammed Chiroma, said Oke’s wife, Folasade, allegedly owns the apartment in which the monies were found.

It said she bought the flat from Fine and Country Limited for $1.658 million between August 25 and September 3, 2015 in the name of Chobe Ventures Limited.

According to EFCC, Mrs Oke and her son, Master Ayodele Oke Junior, were the directors of Chobe Ventures.

EFCC, which tendered the receipt of payment, said Mrs. Oke paid for the apartment in cash in tranches without going through a financial institution.

This, Oyedepo said, violates the Money Laundering Act.