Nigerian govt moves to confiscate Ekweremadu’s 40 properties
The Nigerian government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has moved to take hold of 40 properties belonging to the former Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
According to Ripples Nigeria, the commission filed an ex-parte motion at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday seeking the forfeiture of the properties located in Lagos, Enugu, Abuja, Dubai, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA).
Recalls that Ekweremadu is currently being held in custody in the UK and on trial for alleged human organ trafficking.
Trial Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the interim forfeiture order following his hearing of an ex-parte motion made by EFCC’ lawyer, Ibrahim Buba.
An affidavit identifying the properties as the focus of an ongoing investigation was attached to the ex-parte application with the file number FHC/ABJ/CS/1242/2022.
10 of the landed properties are located in Enugu, three are in the United States of America, two in the United Kingdom, one is in Lagos, nine in Dubai, and 15 in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
The EFCC informed the court that they suspect the proceeds of crime were used to purchase these properties.
In his decision, Justice Ekwo mandated that the anti-graft agency announce the interim forfeiture order of the assets in a national daily within the next seven days.
The court then put the matter on hold until December 5 while it awaited a report on any objections from members of the public who had an interest in any of the properties.
