Anambra billionaire oil magnate, Arthur Eze, has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its efforts in recovering and returning properties to him.
This was contained in a statement issued Monday, 31 January, by the Commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.
TheFact Nigeria reports that operatives of the Enugu zonal command of the anti-graft agency had, on Friday, 28 January 2022, returned eleven houses recovered in different parts of Enugu to the business mogul.
The properties were recovered from the duo of Olisaebuka Okechukwu Eze and Onyeka Nnadozie Eze, who worked in Chief Eze’s firm as administration and finance managers respectively, and who had been accused of criminal breach of trust and diversion of funds belonging to the business mogul.
Investigation established that the duo who are also nephews of Chief Eze, used proceeds of their alleged criminal activities to acquire choice properties in Enugu and other parts of South Eastern Nigeria.
The Commission, in the course of the investigation, initiated a forfeiture proceedings against the two company officials before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu, which granted an interim order of forfeiture of the said properties, directing the defendants to show cause why the properties should not be finally forfeited.
In the absence of any contrary information, the Court, on October 18, 2021, ordered that the properties be finally forfeited and returned to the nominal complainant, Chief Arthur Eze.
Receiving the properties in Enugu on Friday, the business mogul and CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum expressed gratitude to the EFCC, particularly the Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Zonal Commander and his men, who “fought for justice to be served”.
“I am aware that, at some point, your men risked their lives for this cause. I pray that God who has been keeping you will always protect you. I am here in person to thank you for all that you did for me when those whom I call my own, stole from me”, Eze said.
The Zonal Commander, Mr. Oshodi Johnson who handed the properties to the businessman, commended the investigative and prosecution teams as well as the judiciary for ensuring that justice is served in the case.
