Billionaire Arthur Eze has received 11 houses recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in different parts of Enugu from his estranged nephews, the anti-graft agency said on Monday.
The EFCC recovered the property from Olisaebuka Eze and Onyeka Eze who were administration manager and finance manager respectively in Eze’s firm.
The duo are accused of criminal breach of trust and diversion of funds belonging to the business mogul.
A statement by EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said investigation established that the duo used proceeds of their alleged criminal activities to acquire choice property in Enugu and other parts of south eastern Nigeria.
Mr Uwujaren said the anti-graft agency in the course of the investigation initiated forfeiture proceedings against the two company officials before Justice IM Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu, which granted an interim order of forfeiture of the said property, directing the defendants to show cause why the property should not be finally forfeited.
“In the absence of any contrary information, the Court on October 18, 2021, ordered that the properties be finally forfeited and returned to the nominal complainant, Chief Arthur Eze,” Uwujaren said.
Eze said he was present to receive the property himself in Enugu from the commission’s zonal commander Oshodi Johnson in order to thank the agency.
“I am grateful to the executive chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, the zonal commander and all your men who fought for justice to be served,” he said.
“I am aware that, at some point, your men risked their lives for this cause. I pray that God who has been keeping you will always protect you. I am here in person to thank you for all that you did for me when those whom I call my own, stole from me.”
