The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, has ordered that the former
Chief Justice of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike forfeits
the sum of N50 Million to the federal government.
In the judgement delivered on Thursday, the court dismissed an
appeal filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision
(EFCC) by the former Chief Judge, challenging the interim
forfeiture of the sum in his Zenith Bank account.
The court presided over by Honourable Justice Ogunwumiju, while
dismissing the appeal filed by the former CJ, upheld the argument
of Wahab Shittu in favour of EFCC.
Umezulike had appealed the order of Justice A. M Liman of the
Federal High Court, Enugu in March 2017 forfeiting the fund,
following EFCC’s application seeking the freezing, seizure and
forfeiture of properties linked to the former CJ.
Justice Umezulike, was, earlier in the year, arraigned by the
EFCC before Justice A.O Onovo of the Enugu State High Court for
false declaration of assets.
The EFCC also claimed that detectives found N632.2 million in
his bank account, reinforcing the reason for his involuntary
retirement.
The agency also said that the lodgements came from lawyers,
businessmen, politicians and litigants.
The NJC in September 2016 recommended Justice Umezulike for
compulsory retirement alongside Justice Mohammed Tsamiya, who was
the Presiding Justice of the Ilorin Division of the Court of
Appeal.
The Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, has ordered that the former
Chief Justice of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike forfeits
the sum of N50 Million to the federal government.
In the judgement delivered on Thursday, the court dismissed an
appeal filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision
(EFCC) by the former Chief Judge, challenging the interim
forfeiture of the sum in his Zenith Bank account.
The court presided over by Honourable Justice Ogunwumiju, while
dismissing the appeal filed by the former CJ, upheld the argument
of Wahab Shittu in favour of EFCC.
Umezulike had appealed the order of Justice A. M Liman of the
Federal High Court, Enugu in March 2017 forfeiting the fund,
following EFCC’s application seeking the freezing, seizure and
forfeiture of properties linked to the former CJ.
Justice Umezulike, was, earlier in the year, arraigned by the
EFCC before Justice A.O Onovo of the Enugu State High Court for
false declaration of assets.
The EFCC also claimed that detectives found N632.2 million in
his bank account, reinforcing the reason for his involuntary
retirement.
The agency also said that the lodgements came from lawyers,
businessmen, politicians and litigants.
The NJC in September 2016 recommended Justice Umezulike for
compulsory retirement alongside Justice Mohammed Tsamiya, who was
the Presiding Justice of the Ilorin Division of the Court of
Appeal.
Read more https://www.nairalaw.com/embattled-former-enugu-chief-justice-forfeits-n50m-to-fg/