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Tenants disclose how Dieziani managers ran from EFCC

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja
10 September 2017   |   4:40 am
The properties are among 56 houses on which a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court placed an interim forfeiture for being allegedly bought between 2011 and 2013, valued at $22m (N3.3bn). 

The properties are among 56 houses on which a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court placed an interim forfeiture for being allegedly bought between 2011 and 2013, valued at $22m (N3.3bn). 

Tenants at 5, Raymond Street and 8 Thurburn Street in Yaba, Lagos, have said caretakers of the properties disappeared immediately the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began investigations into their connection with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dieziani Alison-Madueke.

The properties are among 56 houses on which a Lagos Division of the Federal High Court placed an interim forfeiture for being allegedly bought between 2011 and 2013, valued at $22m (N3.3bn).

Justice Abdulaziz Anka had directed EFCC to publish the order for interim forfeiture in any national newspaper and adjourned the suit till September 8.

But at the adjourned date, Emmanuel Bassey, counsel to the companies linked with the properties, said he had filed an application requesting EFCC to serve it with the ex-parte application, which the Commission used to secure interim order of forfeiture.

Anselm Ozioko, counsel to EFCC, argued that there was no such order mandating it to ‘serve ex-parte order to the respondents.’

The property at Raymond Street consists of two en-suite 2-bedroom apartments and one 4-bedroom apartment, while the one at Thurburn consists of 21 mixed housing units of eight 4-bedroom apartments, two penthouse apartments of 3-bedroom each, and six 3-bedroom (all en-suite) terrace apartments.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Spokesperson, said the Commission would not send tenants away, if granted possession of the properties.

“We take into consideration the tenants’ welfare, as we cannot just throw them on the streets because of the order,” he said.

He explained that the commission has started the process of permanent takeover, should the court decision swing in its favour.

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