EFCC Obtains Final Confiscation of 20 Properties and 10 Vehicles Linked to Arthur Eze

On By Rgal Nv

ABUJA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the final confiscation of 20 properties and 10 vehicles belonging to Nigerian businessman and CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, Arthur Eze. This decision was taken by the Court of Appeal in Abuja and confirmed in a statement issued by the EFCC on Monday.

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The confiscated assets, recovered from brothers Olisaebuka Eze and Onyeka Nnadozie Eze, include 10 vehicles and three luxury wristwatches. The EFCC said: “In a final confiscation order delivered on Friday, June 7, 2024, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, dismissed the appeal filed by the brothers and upheld the final confiscation of the properties, vehicles, and other items to Arthur Eze, the nominal petitioner.

The properties, located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were deemed to have been acquired using the proceeds of the crime against Arthur Eze. Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi of the FCT High Court had ordered their final forfeiture in April 2022. The assets include:

– A seven bedroom duplex on Plot 1772, Cadastral Area B06, Mabushi District, Abuja
– Nine units of two-bedroom apartments on Plot 375 near Ameyo Adadovah Way, Kado District, Abuja
– A three bedroom terrace duplex at Brookhouse Residence, Karsana District, Abuja
– Several plots of land in various areas of Abuja

The confiscated items also include a red Oulm wristwatch, a gold Just Bling wristwatch and a gold Piaget wristwatch. Vehicles include various models from Toyota, Honda, Mercedes Benz and Kia.

The brothers had appealed the High Court order, seeking to overturn the confiscation. However, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice HA Barka, ruled that the brothers had failed to prove the legitimate acquisition of the properties and objects. The court upheld the High Court’s judgment, dismissing the appeal as lacking merit.

The path to final forfeiture began in 2020 when Arthur Eze filed a petition with the EFCC, alleging theft, criminal misappropriation and money laundering against Olisaebuka Eze, the administrative manager of his company, and his brother Nnadozie Eze . The EFCC investigation led to the arrest of the brothers and the freezing of their bank accounts, following court orders.

The brothers had already taken legal action to enforce their fundamental rights, which resulted in an initial decision in their favor and the awarding of damages. However, the EFCC successfully appealed this decision, with the Court of Appeal ruling that the EFCC’s actions were lawful and awarding N500,000 in favor of the EFCC against the respondents.