The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered
the temporary seizure of a 12-storeyed building belonging to the
senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi,
over an alleged contract scam of N1.5bn.
The said building which the court ordered the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission to seize from Nwaoboshi, a Peoples Democratic Party
member, is located at 27, Marine Road, Apapa.
Justice Abdulaziz Anka made the seizure order after entertaining an ex
parte application brought before him on Monday by the anti-graft agency.
Joined with Nwaoboshi in the application were his two companies, Golden
Touch Construction Project Limited, and Bilderberg Enterprises Limited.
The EFCC told the judge that Nwaoboshi, through his company, Bilderberg
Enterprises Limited, got a N1.580bn contract to supply some construction
equipment to the Delta State Direct Labour Agency sometime in 2010.
The anti-graft agency, however, claimed that Nwaoboshi’s company
supplied second-hand equipment to the agency while he actually collected
money to supply new equipment, thereby short-changing the agency.
The EFCC claimed that Nwaoboshi later used the proceeds of the alleged
scam to bid for and purchase the 12-storeyed building, formerly known as
Guinea House, for the sum of N805m in the name of his company, Golden
Touch Construction Project Limited.
Arguing the ex parte application on Monday, the EFCC’s lawyer, George
Chia-Yakua, said it was in the interest of justice to order the
temporary seizure of the building pending the outcome of investigation
and criminal trial of Nwaoboshi and his companies.
He said the seizure order being sought was compliant with Section
44(2)(k) of the constitution and sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC
(Establishment) Act 2004.
After listening to the lawyer, the judge ordered the temporary forfeiture of Nwaoboshi’s building.
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