22 firms, 14 properties, 15 fronts, 24 banks, N19bn; convicted banker breaks 2021 record 

A convicted former banker has finally got his assets, including estate and funds, frozen following an application the EFCC filed before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

Defunct Bank PHB MD Francis Atuche is serving six years in jail currently while he is also losing all his proceeds of corruption: N19,178,253050 billion/

The funds were allegedly kept in 24 banks, using 15 fronts.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu made the order freezing the aassets Septemeber 2, ruling on  an August 17 application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s counsel Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) in Charge No. ID/1549/2011.

The parties in the case are the federal government on the one hand and Atuche and Ugo Anyanwu as first and second defendants. Both are in jail now

Justice Okunnu, while sentencing the duo last June, ordered that they should make restitution of the N25.7b to the Federal Government to replace the funds stolen from the public to bail out the bank.

The judge, ruling on Pinheiro’s August 17 motion granted the agency’s 12 prayers pursuant to sections 6(d), 20, 24, 26(1), 30 and 34(1) of the EFCC Act and sections 290, 294 and 297 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015, filed by the prosecution counsel led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Kemi Pinheiro.

“An order is made restraining the 1st Defendant (Atuche) whether by himself or acting through the persons or entities listed or such other persons including but not limited to his family members or agents, from removing, alienating, disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of assets, proceeds of economic and financial crimes or otherwise in the name of the 1st Defendant,” the justice held.

The assets or funds included those held indirectly by or for Atuche’s benefit, whether solely or jointly held, that is located in Nigeria or worldwide. And the order is binding on Atuche, his relatives, his lawyers, banks and anyone related directly or indirectly.

“A mandatory order of injunction is made directing the named respondent banks to file within 48 hours of service of this Order of this Honourable Court on them returns of the Statements of Account of the 1st Defendant (personally or jointly) whether in his personal name or otherwise or with the Bank Verification Number: 22295357230 and the accounts of persons and entities listed in the aforementioned Schedules A and B maintained with them,” she added.

No fewer than 15 person were traced as fronts to Atuche in laundering the funds, according to the EFCC.

Among them are Anthony Atuche, Emeka Patrick Atuche, Paul Okobi, Felix Oyiana, Moruf Kazeem Adisa, Olatunji Abiodun, Daniel Enebeli, Aina Olugbenga, Augustine Nwabueze, Omonua Benedict, Oliver King Nduaaron, Dr Chris Ike Ogbechie, Mr Murat Bektaslar, Attah Omataikpo Olukemi and Thomas Etuh.

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The  commission also traced  22 firms in which Atuche has an interest in directly or indirectly,.

They include Aqua Harvest Ltd, Hubmart Stores Ltd, Hubmart Ltd, Sapphire Capital Management Ltd, Homeland Real Estate Company Ltd, Malechi Foods Ltd, Homeland Meridian Partners Ltd, Promise Investment Ltd, Temple Cottage Hotel Ltd, Wegas Properties Project Ltd, Buckhead Construction Ltd, Claremount Management Services Ltd, Afco Associates Ltd, Platinum Capital Ltd, Ghazali Yakubu Investment Ltd, The Financial (Services) Company Ltd, Venture Resources Ltd, Elizabeth-A Company Ltd, Signature Partners Ltd, Purplepay Technologies Ltd, Oakwood Asset Management Ltd And Conesto Nigeria Ltd.

Properties directly or indirectly linked to the 1 defendant include Aqua Harvest Farm, Atlantic Hall Road Opposite Mukadam House, Doka Epe, Lagos and Plot 1263, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos;

Some are Hubmart Stores, 35 Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; Hubmart Stores, 26 Isaac John, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos; Hubmart Stores, Block A10, Plot 2 & 3 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; Lennox Mall, Plot 2 & 3 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; Hubmart Stores, Isheri Road, Omole Phase 1, Ojodu, Ikeja, Lagos; Temple Cottage Hotel, Plot 323 Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Others are 2b Falomo Close, Ikoyi, Lagos; No. 11 Kingsway Layout (Now No. 4 Kingsway Close, Old Ikoyi, Lagos); House on Road 2 VGC, Lekki, Lagos; House 169, Road 43, VGC, Lekki, undeveloped land at Road 2 VGC (1300-2000) Sq. Metres; undeveloped property on Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyl, Lagos, 418 Anifowoshe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; 46, Mamma Nasir Street, Off Ty Danjuma, Asokoro, Abuja,

There are three properties in London: Flat 23, Harley House, Marylebone Road, London; 59, Avenue Close, Avenue Road, St. John’s Wood, London, 18 Wycombe Square, London and W87JD, Isle of Man.

The years-long investigation, prosecution, and conviction becomes the biggest in 2021 for the anti-graft agency.