N3.2bn fraud: EFCC seizes Igbinedion’s properties

CONSEQUENT upon a court order that approved the action on Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come into custody, albeit temporarily, properties of embattled former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

The spokesman of the commission, Mr Femi Babafemi, confirmed the development, adding that the operatives of the commission would soon be moving round to take physical possession of the properties.

Igbinedion and six others were arraigned by the EFCC over an alleged N3.2 billion money laundering saga.

The commission had approached a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for a forfeiture of assets’ order against Igbinedion, pending the outcome of his trial before a Federal High Court, Benin, Edo State.

The commission wanted to take custody of all assets traceable to him in Benin, Lagos, Abuja and London, with Justice M.B Idris acquiescing.

The property covered by the order included a block of four flats at 43, Etete Road, Benin; Chicken Republic, Sapele Road, Benin; a plot of land covered by Certificate of Occupancy No BDSR5458, registered as 24/24/B71 in the name of Okad Air Nigeria Limited; a building with Plan no 2041/2004 at 20B, Etete Road, Benin; a building known as ‘White House’ on Ugbor Police Station Road by House 65, Ugbor Police Station; landed property at Asokoro, Abuja, at 7, Justice Fatai Williams Street, off Justice Sowemimo street, Asokoro, Abuja; a house at neighbourhood of Etete and Ugbor Layout, located between Idusogie Street and Ogbomo Street, Benin City.

Others are Sheraton Hotel Government Course, Government House road, Benin; landed property formerly housing PML office at 55C, Adebisi Omotola Close, off Samuel Adedoyin Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; landed property at Maitama, located at 5, Danube Crescent, Maitama, Abuja and London House located at 29, Sheldon Avenue Highgate, London N6,4JP.

The application seeking for the interim order was filed on February 24 by A.M Yusuf of the EFCC.

Others accused alongside Igbinedion were Patrick Eboigbodin; Michael Igbinedion; Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML (Nigeria) Limited.