The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the final forfeiture of 20 properties and 10 vehicles belonging to Arthur Eze, a Nigerian businessman and CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum. This decision was confirmed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
In a statement released on Monday, the EFCC announced that the forfeiture includes 20 properties and 10 vehicles, along with three valuable wristwatches. These assets were recovered from Olisaebuka Eze and Onyeka Nnadozie Eze, brothers who were involved in a case brought forward by petitioner Arthur Eze.
The statement read: “In a final forfeiture ruling on Friday, June 7, 2024, a three-judge panel at the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal filed by the brothers. The court affirmed the forfeiture of the properties, vehicles, and other items to Arthur Eze, as presented by EFCC counsel Ibrahim Buba.”
The properties, all located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were deemed by the court to have been acquired with proceeds from crimes committed against Arthur Eze. These properties include:
– A seven-bedroom duplex at Plot 1772, Cadastral Zone B06, Mabushi District
– Plot No. 621, Cadastral Zone B07, Katampe District
– Nine units of two-bedroom flats at Plot 375, Kado District
– A three-bedroom terrace duplex at Brookhouse Residence, Karsana District
– Various plots of land in Lugbe AMAC Housing Estate, Kyami District, and Gwagwalada Area Council
Additionally, the items forfeited include:
– A red Oulm wristwatch, stainless steel back Japan Move 3377
– A golden Just Bling wristwatch JB-6116
– A golden Piaget wristwatch with serial no. 8066-639333
– Several vehicles including a Toyota Camry (2014 and 2016 models), a Toyota Highlander, a Honda Accord (2013 model), a Mercedes Benz GLE (2015 model), a Toyota Tundra, a Toyota Avalon, a Honda Civic, a Mercedes Benz C 400, and a Kia SUV.
The appellate court held that the brothers failed to prove the legitimate acquisition of these properties and items. Justice H.A. Barka stated that no material evidence was provided to overturn the findings of the lower court. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the judgment of the lower court was upheld.
The case began in 2020 when the EFCC received a petition from Arthur Eze alleging theft, criminal misappropriation, and money laundering by Olisaebuka Eze, who was the administrative officer at Oranto Petroleum Ltd. The EFCC’s investigation led to the arrest of the brothers and the freezing of their bank accounts.
The brothers initially filed a suit claiming a violation of their fundamental rights, but the Court of Appeal later ruled that the EFCC’s actions were lawful and awarded N500,000 in favor of the EFCC against the respondents.
