A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Monday, ordered the temporary seizure of a 12 storey building located at 27, Marine Road, Apapa, belonging to a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi.
The court order was sequel to an Ex-parte originating summons filed before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and argued by its counsel, George Chia-yakua, against Senator Nwaoboshi and his two companies; Golden Touch Construction Project Limited, and Bilderberg Enterprises Limited.
In urging the court to grant the application, EFCC counsel, Chia-yakua, informed the court that the application was pursuant to section 44(2)(k) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended), and Section 28 and 29 of the EFCC (establishment) Act 2004.
The EFCC counsel informed the court that the commission received a petition from an anti-corruption group, ‘Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum’, against the senator and his Companies on alleged money laundering.
The EFCC in affidavit in support of the Ex-parte originating summons filed by E. E. Iheanacho, and deposed to by Garuba Yusuf Abubakar stated that upon the receipt of the petition several investigations which includes making enquiries from Code of Conduct Bereau, Abuja, banks, Delta State Governor’s office, Delta State Tenders Board, Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos State Ministry of Lands, Federal Inland Revenue Services, and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with view to trace movement of funds suspected to be proceeds of Illegal activities, source of funds, and the beneficiaries.
The deponent stated that the in 2010, the Tender Board of Delta State awarded a contract to the Senator’s second company to purchase new construction equipment for Delta State Direct Labour Agency, at the sum of N1.580 billion, but rather than buying new equipment, the company only imported and supplied used equipment, while the Delta State government fully paid for new ones.
The deponent further stated that upon Investigation, it was revealed that the Senator moved the proceeds to various accounts linked to him, and his company bided and bought the said 12 storey building formerly known as Guinea House, located at 27, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos with the sum of N805million, with the use of his first company, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited.
He also stated that the Senator completed and submitted the Code of Conduct Bureau Asset Declaration Form on June 19, 2015, where he stated that he acquired the said Guinea House, Apapa, by being a Director to the second respondent.
The deponent also averred that further investigation revealed that the Senator’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) 22300559079, has 20 Bank accounts he operates in Nigeria, while his private companies through BVN 22244303840, have 23 Bank accounts.
Justice Abdulafiz Anka after listening to the submission of EFCC counsel, ordered that the 12 storey building located at 27, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos, belonging to Senator Nwaoboshi be temporary seized by the EFCC, pending the outcome of its Investigation.
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