12-Storey Building: Nwaoboshi loses Property to Federal Government

National Assembly member representing Delta North senatorial district Sen. Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi,  has temporarily lost his 12-storey building at 27 Marine Road, Apapa to the Federal Government.

The forfeiture order was given by Abdulaziz Anka, a judge at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The court order was sequel to an application filed before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and argued by its counsel, George Chia-yakua, against Nwaoboshi and his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited, and Bilderberg Enterprises Limited.

In urging the court to grant the application, Chia-yakua told the court that the  application was pursuant to section 44(2)(k) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended), and Section 28 and 29 of the EFCC (establishment) Act 2004.

The EFCC counsel further told the court that the commission received a petition from an anti-corruption group, ‘Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum’, against the senator and his companies on alleged money laundering.

The EFCC in an affidavit by Garuba Abubakar said it carried out investigations at the Code of Conduct Bereau, CCB, Abuja, banks, Delta State Governor’s Office, Delta State Tenders Board, Nigeria Customs Service, Lagos State Ministry of lands, Federal Inland Revenue Services, and Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.

The commission said its aim was to trace the movement of funds suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities, source of funds, and the beneficiaries.

The deponent said upon investigation, it was revealed that the senator moved the proceeds to various accounts linked to him, and his company bought the said 12-storey building formerly known as Guinea House, located at 27, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos at the sum of N805 million, with the use of his company, Golden Touch Construction Project Limited.

Secretary to Delta State Government confirmed the sale of the building to the senator’s company.

After listening to the submission of the EFCC counsel, Anka ordered that the 12-storey building located at 27, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the outcome of EFCC investigation.