Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Tractors,Tricycles Linked to Ex-Kwara Governor’s Aide

Ilorin, Kwara State – Justice Haleema Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, has ordered the final forfeiture of two tractors and two tricycles linked to Kayode Oyin-Zubair, former Special Assistant on Community Intervention to ex-Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, to the Self Reliance Economic Advancement Programme (SEAP).

Delivering judgment on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Justice Saleeman dismissed Oyin-Zubair’s application seeking to reverse a prior interim forfeiture order, upholding arguments from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the items were acquired through funds diverted from a public transport scheme.

The court established that Oyin-Zubair, who held office from 2020 to 2023, approached SEAP to finance the acquisition of 100 auto rickshaws (tricycles) and 100 mini-buses meant for members of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). SEAP disbursed N192 million for the scheme. However, investigations revealed that N72 million in repayments collected from the beneficiaries was misappropriated by Oyin-Zubair and used to purchase the forfeited assets in his name.

EFCC operatives recovered the tractors and tricycles, valued at N57.4 million, from a warehouse along Fate Road, Ilorin. The commission’s counsel, Mustapha Kaigama, presented evidence and witness testimony demonstrating that the assets were purchased with diverted funds intended for public welfare.

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Justice Saleeman affirmed in her ruling that Oyin-Zubair failed to justify the ownership of the property and that the EFCC had proven the items were products of criminal activity. The assets have now been permanently forfeited to SEAP, the complainant in the suit.

It was also learned that Oyin-Zubair has appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, contesting the High Court’s ruling and citing alleged procedural irregularities.

The EFCC continues to reiterate its commitment to fighting the misuse of public funds, regardless of the status of those involved.