The temporary seizure of 40 lands belonging to a former deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, was denounced on Saturday by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as “hasty” and a “selective judgement.”
Ohanaeze argued that Ekweremadu, who is facing charges in the UK for alleged organ harvesting, ought to be allowed the chance to present his own defense.
Following an ex-parte plea by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja ordered the temporary confiscation of Ekweremadu’s assets.
Despite the fact that the EFCC is currently investigating numerous charges of corruption, Ohanaeze questioned the haste and partial judgment in the case of Ekweremadu.
The statement from Ohanaeze read in full:
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.
Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.