The court of appeal in Abuja has affirmed a final forfeiture
order of properties fraudulently gotten by two brothers, Olisaebuka Eze and
Onyeka Eze.
A statement by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday gave the details of the court
proceedings leading to the forfeiture of the properties.
In 2022, the EFCC secured a final forfeiture of 20
properties, 10 vehicles, and three princely wristwatches for Arthur Eze, a
businessman.
The businessman petitioned the commission in 2020, alleging
theft, criminal misappropriation, and money laundering against Olisaebuka, who,
at the time, was the administrative officer of his company, Oranto Petroleum
Ltd.
Arthur alleged that the two brothers stole his money,
estimated at billions of naira and millions of dollars.
He added that the stolen money was used to acquire
properties in Abuja and Enugu.
Upon the conclusion of investigations, the EFCC arrested
Olisaebuka and Nnadozie and froze their bank accounts, following court orders.
Dissatisfied with the decision of Modupe Osho-Adebiyi, judge
of the lower court, which ordered the final forfeiture of the properties,
Olisaebuka and Nnadozie filed separate appeals seeking to overturn the order of
the high court.
However, in the judgment delivered on June 7, a three-member
panel of justices dismissed the appeal filed by the brothers and affirmed the
final forfeiture of the properties to Azeh.
H. A. Barka, who read the lead judgment, held that the
appellants did not “place any material before the court to enable it to disturb
the findings of the lower court”.
“The judgment of the lower court is affirmed,” Barka said.
The properties and items for final forfeiture include
seven-bedroom duplex at Plot 1772 Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi District; Plot
No. 621, Cadastral Zone B07 within Katampe District; nine units of two-bedroom
flats located at Plot 375 off Ameyo Adadovah Way, Kado District; three-bedroom
terrace duplex located at Brookhouse Residence Karsana District FCT; Plot No.
AHE540 in Lugbe AMAC Housing Estate measuring 1,500sqm; Plot No. 285, measuring
1,589.28sqm in Cadastral Zone E23 Kyami District Abuja; Plot No. R9530AA,
measuring 1,000 sqm, located at Traders Layout 3 Gwagwalada Area Council,
Abuja; Plot No. R9530AA, measuring 1,000 sqm, located at Traders Layout 3
Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.
Other properties are Plot No. XK1057, measuring 800sqm,
located in Apo Layout, AMAC, FCT; Plot of land with RofO with file No. AN 69550
dated 28/10/2012 at Kyami District Abuja; Plot No. 0844 in NAF Valley Estate,
Asokoro Abuja, measuring about 1316.79; and Plot No. 188 Cadastral Zone E 12 of
Orozo, measuring 875sqm.
The items include a red Oulm wristwatch with a stainless
steel back, Japan Move 3377; a golden-coloured Just Bling wristwatch, JB-6116;
and a golden Piaget wristwatch with serial number 8066-639333.
The vehicles are a Toyota Camry 2016 model; a Toyota Camry
2014 model; a Toyota Highlander; a Honda Accord 2013 model; a Mercedes Benz GLE
2015 model; a Toyota Tundra with chassis No. STFRYF17EX171601 and a car spare
key; a Toyota Avalon with registration No. RSH111; a Honda Civic with
registration No. YAB58EN; a Mercedes Benz C 400 with Reg. No. KWL43A5; and a
Kia SUV.
The respondents had sued the commission before the FCT high
court in Apo, alleging a violation of their fundamental rights.
S.B. Begore, the presiding judge, ruled in their favour and
awarded N10 million in damages against the EFCC.
The commission also challenged the judgment, and the court
of appeal overturned the decision of the lower court.
The court awarded N500,000 against the respondents in favour
of the EFCC.
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