EFCC points at court as reason ex-Gov Sylva recovered 48 seized houses

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has blamed a court judgment by Justice Adeniyi Ademola as the reason a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, recovered his 48 seized houses.

The commission passed the blame in a series of tweets on its Twitter handle.

The shift of the blame came apparently following criticisms that the commission has received from Nigerians who are sad that the seized houses were returned to Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The EFCC said, “Story of EFCC handing over houses to Timipre Sylva, appeared online, Oct 3, 2016. Not a recent story.

“He was facing a 42-count charge before Justice Mohammed of the FHC Abuja. Said properties were forfeited as part of the trial.

“EFCC applied to consolidate charges against him before Justice Mohammed after DPP on June 1, 2015 withdrew its own charges.

“June 10, 2015 rather than hear the case, Justice Mohammed dismissed charges without him and co-defendants taking their pleas.

“EFCC expressed its discontent at the ruling, and CJ of FHC Abuja reassigned the case to Justice Ademola of the FHC Abuja.

“On June 12, 2015 EFCC filed fresh charge, and on July 9, 2015 brought 50 counts against him before Justice Ademola.

Read also : Lopsided NNPC shake-up is Buhari’s action speaking louder than his words – Ohanaeze

“EFCC had expected speedy/fair trial. But no! Few days to Bayelsa gov election, Justice Ademola freed him without pleas taken.”

The houses include:
* A mansion at 3 River Niger Street
*Plot 3192 Cadastral Zone AO, Maitama District, Abuja
*Nine units (comprising six one – bedroom and three two- bedroom apartments ) at 8, Sefadu Street, Wuse , Zone 2, Abuja
*Plot 262 Cadastral Zone AO 2, Wuse, Abuja
*Two duplexes at 5, Oguta Street, Plot 906 Cadastral Zone, Wuse II, Abuja.
* A duplex on Plot 1271 Nike Street, Cadastral Zone AO 5 , Maitama District, Abuja
*A duplex at Phase 1 Unit No. 1 (Villa 1) Palm Springs Gold Estate, Cachez Turkey Projects Limited, Mpape , Abuja
*10 units of one – room apartments at 8 Mistrata Street, Plot 232 Cadastral Zone , Wuse II, Abuja;
*Five units duplexes on Plot No 1070 Dakibiyu District, Cadastral Zone B 10, Abuja
*16 units service apartments at Plot 1181 Thaba Tseka Crescent, off IBB Way, Wuse II, Abuja
*3 units of three – bedroom flats at No. 1 Mubi Close, Plot 766 Cadastral Zone A01, Garki, Abuja.

Why the EFCC has not appealed the said court judgment remains a concern to many commentors on the matter.

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