Section 14: Forfeiture

(1) Where the owner of an article seized under this Act consents to the forfeiture thereof the article shall thereupon be forfeited to the Minister.
(2) Where a person has been convicted of an offence under this Act or the regulations the court may order that the article by means of or in respect of which the offence was committed, and anything of a similar nature belonging to or in the possession of the person convicted or found with that article, be forfeited to the Minister.
(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, where any article has been seized under this Act, a judge of a Federal High Court may, upon application by an inspecting officer and after the giving of notice to such persons as the judge or magistrate may direct, order that the article and anything of a similar nature found therewith be forfeited to the Minister, if after hearing all the parties concerned he is of the opinion that the article is one by means of or in relation to which any of the provisions of this Act or the regulations is being or has been contravened.
(4) Where, whether in pursuant of an order under this section or otherwise, any article or thing is forfeited to the Minister under this section it shall vest in the Minister free from encumbrances, and the Minister may retain it or cause it to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the Minister thinks fit.