A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) permission to temporarily seize 40 properties allegedly traced to the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
The Trial Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the interim forfeiture order, after he heard an ex-parte application that was brought before the court by the EFCC.
Attached to the ex-parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1242/2022, is an affidavit that identified the properties as subject of an ongoing investigation.
A prosecutor at the EFCC, Ibrahim Buba told the court that the landed properties, 10 of which are situated at Enugu; three in the United States of America (USA); two in the United Kingdom (UK); one in Lagos; nine in Dubai and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory, are suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of crime.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo ordered the anti-graft agency to within the seven days, publish the interim forfeiture order of the properties in a National daily.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter till December 5 for a report on objections from any member of the public that has interest in any of the properties.
CEOAFRICA had reported that Ekweremadu is currently facing trial in the United Kingdom over an allegation that he brought David Ukpo into the Country for the purpose of harvesting his organ.