FG moves against Ekweremadu, asks court to freeze 23 undeclared properties
The Federal Government, on Wednesday, moved against the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as it asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to temporarily freeze his 23 undeclared properties traced to him, pending the outcome of its investigation.
While nine of the choice properties are in Nigeria, two are in London, eight in Dubai and three in the United States of America.
The Federal government had in a motion ex-parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/284/2018, specifically applied for an interim court order for a temporal forfeiture of the properties.
In the application filed on behalf of the Federal Government by Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), the government is asking the court to note that, “ The order is seeking a temporarily attaching/forfeiting the properties listed in Schedule B hereunder, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, pending the conclusion of further inquiry/investigation by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property and/or possible arraignment of the Respondent”.
In an affidavit deposed to by one Yohanna Shankuk of No: 13 Nouakchott street Wuse Zone 1, the FG alleged that there will be likelihood of Ekweremadu frustrating its investigation if the motion is not granted.
The Motion exparte was brought in pursuant to section 330 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Section 8 of the recovery of public property, Special Provisions Act, Section 44 (2) (k) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
A description of the undeclared properties belonging to Ekweremadu in his assets forms in Abuja are: No. 11, Evans Enwerem Street, Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo, Abuja, Plot 2633 Kyami, Abuja and Housing Estate (Plot 1106 CRD, Cadastral Zone 07-07, Lugbe, Abuja.
Others include Plot 2782 Asokoro Extension, Abuja, Houses at Citi Park Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja and Plot 1474 Cadastral Zone BD6, Mabushi, Abuja.
Others are Congress Court, Abuja, Flat 1, Block D25, Athletics Street, (24th Street) Games Village, Abuja, Plot 66, 64 Crescent, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.
The properties in London include: Flat 4 Varsity Court, Harmer Street, WIH 4NW, London, 52 Ayleston Avenue, NW6 7AB, London.
In Dubai, the properties not declared by Ekweremadu are Room 1903, The Address Hotel, Downtown Dubai, The Address Boulevard, 3901, Dubai, 2 Flats of Burij Side Boulevard (the signature), Dubai as well as Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/1/114, Dubai.
Also, Emirate Gardens Apartment No. EGG1/115, Dubai, Apartment No. DFB/12/B 1204, Park Towers, Dubai, Flat 3604, MAG214, Dubai and Villa No 148, Maeen 1, The Lakes Emirates Hills, Dubai were listed amongst his undeclared properties in Dubai.
In Florida, the USA house no: 4507 Stella Street, Bellavida Estate Kissime, Florida, USA, 2747 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA and 2763 Club Cortile Circle, Kissime, Florida, USA were not declared by Ekweremadu.
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