A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of three high-value properties linked to Mr. Uchenna Erondu, a member of the Abia State House of Assembly and former aide to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, over an alleged N28 billion fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Thursday following a motion ex-parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency, represented by counsel C.O. Onu, asked the court to seize the assets pending the conclusion of investigations into the alleged diversion of public funds and money laundering.
In granting the application, Justice Nwite said, “I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel for the applicant (EFCC).
I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits thereto along with the written address.
I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.
Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”
He also ordered the publication of the forfeiture notice in Daily Trust and on the EFCC’s website, inviting any interested party to show cause within 14 days why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
The matter was adjourned to May 26 for a report of compliance.
The assets in question include: A four-bedroom bungalow located at Plot 6/31, Ukaegbu Layout, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, valued at N409 million; a three-bedroom bungalow at the same address, valued at N300 million; a five-bedroom bungalow in Guzape, Abuja, worth N500 million.
The EFCC, in its affidavit deposed to by an operative, Samson Oloje, said the commission had received intelligence on a case involving “criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering to the tune of over N28 billion.”
Oloje stated, “That the assets and properties in the schedule of this application are being investigated for being linked to economic and financial crimes, proceeds of crimes, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, illegal transfer of funds, criminal conspiracy, impersonation and money laundering via an open source intelligence report. That herein attached are the statements of the person involved in the dealings and transactions connected to this case hereby attached as Exhibit EFCC-1.”
He further argued that the forfeiture was necessary, saying, “It would be in the interest of justice for the application to be granted in order to preserve the res pending the conclusion of investigation for whosoever concerned to show cause why the aforementioned assets and properties should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.”
