TVC N. Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have taken possession of buildings belonging to Mr. George Turner, a businessman and a godson of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Turner, who has been detained at Port Harcourt Prison in Rivers State, is being investigated by the anti-graft agency for being allegedly involved in a case concerning money laundering, abuse of office and obtaining money by false pretence.
He is also being investigated for alleged possession of funds running into N2bn.
The funds were suspected to have been illegally taken from the Niger Delta Development Commission at the time Turner was serving there as an Adviser on Youths to a former chairman of the commission, Dan Abia, between 2011 and 2015.
The EFCC operatives, led by the Zonal Head of the commission, Mr. Ishaq Salihu, were in Baylsa State to enforce an order of interim forfeiture of buildings and other property belonging to Turner, which was given by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
The order was reportedly obtained by the EFCC on May 23, 2017.
Before the EFCC operatives headed for Kolo town in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, where Turner’s sprawling estate is situated, they stopped over at the Bayelsa State Police Command headquarters to meet with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba.
After a meeting that lasted about two hours, the police commissioner gave the EFCC team scores of mobile policemen to go with.
Speaking during the operation, Salihu said, ‘’Turner is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC. The EFCC, has through the court, obtained a valid court order forfeiting these property pending the determination of the criminal proceedings against him.
“We are here to physically take control of Turner’s property. As you can see, we have tried in vain to access the main building at the back. We are having a little challenge as the housekeeper has decided to run away with the keys.’’
Salihu said that as part of the orders to take possession of the buildings and other property of Turner, the anti-graft agency would leave some operatives behind to prevent the property from being destroyed.
Our correspondent, who went on the operation with the EFCC operatives and mobile policemen, observed that the estate was being guarded by no fewer than 15 policemen, paid and housed by Turner.
Our correspondent observed no fewer than 15 different structures in the compound including: a church, schools, ponds, a guest house, administrative blocks and security posts.
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