Starrys Obazei/November 4, 2022

Justice Inyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following an ex -parte motion filed and moved by Ibrahim Buba, lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ordered the forfeiture of 40 properties belonging to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, are currently in custody in the United Kingdom (UK), over allegations bordering on the organ trafficking of David Ukpo. He is said to be a minor.

Justice Ekwo, who granted the motion, ordered the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order of the property in a national daily within seven days.

The judge directed anybody who had an interest in the forfeited property to indicate within 14 days of the publication of the interim forfeiture order why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Justice Ekwo then adjourned the matter until Dec. 5 for a report.

NAN reports that the affected property includes 10 properties in Enugu, three in the United States of America, two in the UK, one in Lagos, nine in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.