A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of 40 properties belonging to former Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu.
The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, issued the ruling on Friday in response to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s ex-parte motion, FHC/ABJ/CS/1242/2022 (EFCC).
The motion was moved by Ibrahim Buba, the commission’s lawyer.
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The interim forfeiture order includes 10 properties in Enugu, three in the United States of America (USA), two in the United Kingdom (UK), one in Lagos, nine in Dubai, and 15 located in the federal capital territory.
The judge ordered the anti-graft commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national daily within seven days of the order’s issuance.
Members of the public who are interested in the properties have been encouraged to visit the court within 14 days following their publication in the newspaper and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
The lawsuit has been postponed until December 5th.
The interim forfeiture order covers 10 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, and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory.
The former Deputy Senate President and his wife are currently standing trial in the United Kingdom over alleged organ harvest.