Corruption: EFCC secures interim forfeiture, seizes 40 properties from ex-Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu

*Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, FCT, has ordered an interim forfeiture of 40 landed properties belonging to former Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu to the Federal Government of Nigeria

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In what appears as a double tragedy for the embattled former Deputy Senate President and current Federal lawmaker representing Enugu State,

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, FCT, has ordered an interim forfeiture of 40 landed properties belonging to Senator (Dr.) Ike Ekweremadu.

Justice Ekwo made the order, following an ex-parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC has been prosecuting the legislator in the law court for using proceeds of corruption to illegally acquire tens of choice properties across Nigeria and overseas.

Ekweremadu also, is currently in detention in the United Kingdom (UK), over alleged of organ harvesting, and trafficking of a “minor” for kidney transplant for his ailing daughter in the foreign country.

Both the former Deputy Senate President and his wife are standing trial in the UK over the allegation.

Justice Ekwo, in a short ruling on the anti-graft Commission’s motion,  therefore, ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order of the said properties in a national daily within seven days from the date the order was given.

The Judge, specifically, requested anyone interested in the properties covered by the interim forfeiture order to indicate same within 14 days of the publication of the interim forfeiture order of the court, Channels TV report said.

Justice Ekwo, subsequently, adjourned  till December 5, 2022, for a report, if there is any objection from any member of the public regarding the properties.

It was learnt the interim forfeiture order covers 10 of Senator Ekweremadu’s properties in Enugu, three in the United States of America (USA), two in the United Kingdom (UK), one in Lagos, nine in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

By the ruling, members of the public interested in the properties covered by the interim forfeiture order should, within 14 days of the newspaper publication, inform the court why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government report noted.