Nigeria: Anti-Corruption Body Seizes Assets of Ex-Governor

3 March 2011

The renewed anti-corruption battle between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former Edo state governor Chief Lucky Igbinedion on Wenesday took a new turn as the anti graft body seized 11 real estate assets belonging to him and said to have been purchased with money belonging to Edo state government

The power to sieze the assets was given by Justice M.B. Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos pending the determination of the case against Igbinedion.

Among the assets are a London property at 29, Sheldon Avenue, Highgate, London N6 4JP; a landed property formerly housing PML office at 55C, Adebisi Omotola Close, off Samuel Adedoyin Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; ‘White House’ along Ugbor Police Station Road by House No. 65, Ugbor Police Station; a house at neighbourhood of Etete and Ugbor Layout, located between Idusogie Street and Ogbomo Street, Benin City.

Others are: a building covered by approved building plan No 2041/2004 at No 20B Etete, Benin; a Land at No. 7, Justice Fatai Williams Street, off Justice Sowemimo Street, Asokoro, Abuja; a landed property at Maitama, located at 5, Danube Crescent, Maitama, Abuja; Sheraton Hotel Government Course, Government House road, Benin; Chicken Republic belonging to Igbinedion on Sapele-Benin Road, Benin; a parcel of land covered by Certificate of Occupancy No BDSR5458 registered as 24/24/B71 in the name of Okada Air Nigeria Limited at No 3, Boundary Road Benin City; and a block of four flats at No 43 Etete Road, Benin City.

Igbinedion who had been convicted on plea bargain few years ago became an issue again following fresh evidence that also included his brother, Mr. Michael Igbinedion and five others all accused of misappropriating about N3.2 billion naira of government funds. Also charged along with the former Governorare Mr. Patrick Eboigbodin, Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited, PML Securities Company Limited and PML (Nigeria) Limited.

The EFCC spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi confirmed the story.

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