A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday overturned an interim forfeiture of 40 landed properties awarded to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the former Deputy Senate President.
Following the revelation that the forfeiture judgment was acquired improperly by the Federal Government against the properties, Justice Inyang Ekwo annulled the ruling.
While lifting the order, the judge stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, which acquired the order on behalf of the Federal Government, omitted material that led to its granting.
Specifically, Justice Ekwo stated that the EFCC, which was well aware that Ekweremadu was in jail in the United Kingdom, neglected to provide the court with critical facts.
With his arrest in London, the Judge concurred with Ekweremadu’s attorney, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, that the former Deputy Senate President would be unable to defend his ownership of the disputed properties.
Following an ex-parte case brought before him by the EFCC, Justice Ekwo granted an interim forfeiture order in favor of the Federal Government on November 4, last year.
The Judge clearly said that anybody with an interest in the seized properties should notify the court within 14 days of the publication of the interim forfeiture order.
In the United Kingdom, the former Deputy Senate President and his wife are on trial for accused organ harvesting.
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