Ex-Enugu CJ forfeits N50m in bank accounts

A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu has placed an interim forfeiture order of a sum of N50 million belonging to a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike.

Justice A.M Liman placed the order on the sum contained in a Zenith Bank plc account of former CJ.

The order was made in response to a prayer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking the freezing, seizure and forfeiture of properties and assets linked to the former Chief Judge.

Umezulike is being investigated in connection with his alleged involvement in abuse of office and receiving gratification.

The anti-graft agency stated that the former Chief Judge will be arraigned at a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a four-count charge bordering on false asset declarations.

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Although the application for the arraignment has been filed before the court, no date has been fixed for the arraignment.

Following reports of fraud against Umezulike, the National Judicial Council (NJC) under the leadership of its former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Mahmud Mohammed, had recommended him and Justices Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya for compulsory retirement.

The NJC also dismissed Justice Kabiru Auta and stated that he be handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Kano State for prosecution.

The NJC said that Mr. Umezulike was to be sacked for accepting N10 million in gifts from individuals he adjudicating cases on, making disparaging remarks unbecoming of a judicial officer, and abusing his judicial powers in several cases.

 

 

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