“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a moral probity to state that a hasty ex-parte motion, filed by the EFCC on a man who is undergoing some travails in the UK, falls short of ethical standards and natural justice,” the statement said.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for moving fast in seeking a court order to seize the property of the embattled Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
The group’s statement followed a ruling on Friday by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering an interim forfeiture of 40 landed property linked to the former Deputy Senate President.
The court’s order followed an ex-parte motion filed and moved by counsel to the EFCC, Ibrahim Buba.
The landed property comprise 15 in Abuja, 10 in Enugu (Ekweremadu’s home state), one in Lagos, two in the United Kingdom, three in the United States, and nine in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, in a statement issued on Saturday stated that Ekweremadu, currently standing trial in the UK over alleged organ trafficking should be given an opportunity to defend himself and be made to face the wrath of the law if found culpable.
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“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a moral probity to state that a hasty ex-parte motion, filed by the EFCC on a man who is undergoing some travails in the UK, falls short of ethical standards and natural justice.
“We maintain that Sen. 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 judgment in the case of Ekweremadu is curious.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls on all Nigerian legal luminaries of goodwill to intervene,’’ Ogbonnia stated.