Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ibru: EFCC Seals More Properties in Lagos, Abuja

THURSDAY JANUARY 28, 2010.

Ibru: EFCC seals more properties in Lagos , Abuja

Nigerian Daily Triumph

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) on Tuesday said it had sealed-off 17 more properties linked to the former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs Cecilia Ibru, in Abuja and Lagos.

This information is contained in a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The statement said the exercise which began on Monday, followed a freezing order issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos on all assets and property items linked to the former bank chief.

``The EFCC had applied for a mareva injunction against all the assets of Mrs Ibru who is facing trial on a 25-count charge of money laundering and granting of unsecured loans running into billions of naira among others.

``When the exercise resumed in Abuja and Lagos on Tuesday, a total of 12 properties were sealed in the Federal Capital City and five in Lagos .

``Those sealed in the FCT were located on Zakari Maimalari Street, Central Area, as well as Zone 3, 14th and 27th street , Games Village, ’’ the statement said .

The statement said that in Lagos, operatives sealed-off two houses on Sobo Arobiodu Street , Ikeja GRA, a plaza opposite Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, while one was locked in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi and another in Marina , Lagos Island.

``In a related development, the anti-graft agency has filed an amended 25-count charge against Mrs Ibru .

``The fresh charges have to do with the dollar grant of N170 billion and 51-million unsecured loans to companies linked to her,’’ it said.

The statement further said when her matter came up before Justice Dan Abutu of the Federal High Court Lagos on Tuesday, the ex-bank chief was absent as her lawyer told the court she was ill.

It said the lead defence counsel , Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, apologised to the court for the absence of the accused.

He told the court that the accused was suffering from a heart related
problem.

``The lawyer further told the court that his client was on admission in an undisclosed hospital in Lagos since Jan. 24.

``The trial judge has, however, adjourned further hearing in the matter till Feb. 10,’’ the statement added..

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