Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Saturday, slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the suit and hasty judgement resulting in the order by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court mandating the EFCC to publish 40 properties of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu for forfeiture.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, condemned “the hasty order by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court to the effect that Sen. Ike Ekweremadu should forfeit 40 landed properties allegedly belonging to him.”
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim forfeiture order of Ekweremadu’s assets in a judgment on an ex-parte motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group argued that Ekweremadu was not given the chance for self defence in the suit before the judgment was delivered.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in the statement declared: “ASSET FORFEITURE: EFCC, COURT ORDER HASTY – OHANAEZE
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide condemns the hasty order by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court to the effect that Sen. Prof. Ike Ekweremadu should forfeit 40 landed properties allegedly belonging to him.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a moral probity to state that a hasty exparte motion filed by the EFCC on a man who is undergoing some travails in the United Kingdom falls short of ethical standards and natural justice.
“We maintain that Sen. Ike Ekweremadu should be given the opportunity to defend himself on his properties; and if found wanting should surely face the consequences.
“We are aware that there are several allegations of corruption cases pending in the EFCC, but the urgency and selective judgement in the case of Ekweremadu is not only curious but indeed true to type.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on all the Nigerian legal luminaries of goodwill to intervene against gradual steps towards totalitarianism.”