EFCC obtains final confiscation of 20 properties, 10 vehicles and others for Arthur Eze – Igbere TV

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has, through the Court of Appeal, Abuja recovered 20 properties, 10 vehicles and three princely wristwatches belonging to two brothers,
Olisaebuka Eze and Onyeka Nnadozie Eze for a petitioner, Arthur Eze.

In a final confiscation order delivered on Friday, June 7, 2024 by a three-judge panel, the Abuja Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by the brothers and upheld the final confiscation of the properties, vehicles and other items at benefit of Arthur Eze. , the nominal petitioner presented by the Commission’s lawyer, Ibrahim Buba.

The properties, all located in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, were found by the court to have been acquired through the proceeds of the crime committed against Arthur Eze.

The properties and items which Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of the FCT High Court, sitting at Gudu, Abuja, had in April 2022 ordered to be permanently forfeited to the petitioner include: a seven-bedroom duplex on plot 1772, area cadastral B06, Mabushi district, FCT. Abuja, located at No. 5, Ifeanyi Araraume Mabushi Street, Abuja; Parcel No. 621, cadastral zone B07 in Katampe district with file No. JG 10188;
nine units of two-bedroom apartments located on Plot 375 off Ameyo Adadovah Way, Kado District, Abuja; three bedroom terrace duplex located at Brookhouse Residence Karsana District FCT, Abuja; Land No. AHE540 in the Lugbe AMAC subdivision measuring 1,500 m²; Parcel no. 285,
measuring 1,589.28 m² in Cadastral Area E23 of Kyami District, Abuja; Land No. R9530AA, measuring 1,000 m², located at Traders Layout 3 Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja; Land No. R9530AA,
measuring 1,000 m², located at Traders Layout 3 Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

The other properties are: Land No. XK1057,
measuring 800 m², located at Apo Layout, AMAC FCT, Abuja; Land with RofO with file no. AN 69550 dated 28/10/2012 in Kyami Abuja district; Plot No. 0844 in NAF Valley Estate, Asokoro Abuja, measuring approximately 1,316.79; Land No. 188 Cadastral zone E 12 of Orozo, measuring 875 m²

Items include: a red Oulm wristwatch, stainless steel back Japan Move 3377; a gold-colored Just Bling JB-6116 wristwatch; and a gold Piaget wristwatch with serial number. 8066-639333.

The vehicles are: a 2014 2016 Toyota Camry model; Toyota Camry 2014 model; a Toyota Highlander; a 2013 Honda Accord model; Mercedes Benz GLE 2015 model; Toyota Tundra with chassis number STFRYF17EX171601 and a spare car key; Toyota Avalon with registration number RSH111; Honda Civic with registration number YAB58EN; Mercedes Benz C 400 with Reg. No. KWL43A5 and a Kia SUV.

Dissatisfied with the High Court’s order, the brothers approached the appeal court in separate appeals, asking that the order be set aside. However, in the Court of Appeal judgment read by Justice HA Barka, the Court of Appeal found that the two men had not satisfactorily proven that they had rightfully acquired the properties and all relevant items . According to Judge Barka, the appellants have “not submitted any material to the court to enable it to modify the findings of the lower court”. The court further ruled that the appeal was without merit and dismissed it.
therefore. “The judgment of the lower court is affirmed,” Justice Barka said.

The path to final forfeiture began in 2020, when the EFCC received a petition from Arthur Eze, alleging theft, criminal misappropriation and money laundering against the first respondent Olisaebuka Eze, who was the administrative officer of his company, Oranto Petroleum Ltd.

According to Arthur Eze, Olisaebuka Eze, in connivance with his brother, Nnadozie Eze stole his money which amounted to billions of naira and millions of dollars, with which
both used to acquire properties in Abuja and Enugu.

Following the investigation, the Commission arrested Olisaebuka Eze and his accomplice brother, Nnadozie Eze and froze their bank accounts, following court orders.

In an attempt to make a difference, the respondents filed a suit at the FCT High Court, Apo, before Justice SB Begore, seeking respect for their fundamental rights. At the end of the hearing, Judge Belgore ruled that the Commission had violated the fundamental rights of the respondents and
awarded 10 million naira damages in their favor. The Commission, through its lawyer, Buba, challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal which overturned the decision of the lower court and held that the Commission’s detention of the respondents and freezing of its accounts was intended for investigative purposes and were duly justified. supported by court orders. “The action of the EFCC does not constitute a violation of the rights of the respondent,” the court ruled.

The court further awarded N500,000 (five hundred thousand naira) to the respondents in favor of the EFCC.