Ibru: EFCC Files Additional Charges, Seals Off More Properties In Lagos, Abuja

PHOTO: A PROPERTY IN LAGOS BELONGING TO MRS. IBRU THAT WAS SEALED OFF ON TUESDAY.

San Francisco Jan 26, (THEWILL) - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, 26th January, sealed off 17 more properties linked to the former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs Cecilia Ibru in Abuja and Lagos.

The exercise, which began on Monday, followed a freezing order issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos on all assets and properties linked to the former bank chief. The EFCC had applied for a Mareva injunction against all the assets of Mrs Ibru who is facing trial on a 25-count charge of money laundering and granting of unsecured loans running into billions of naira amongst others.

When the exercise resumed in Abuja and Lagos on Tuesday, a total of 12 properties were sealed in the Federal Capital City and five in Lagos. Those sealed in the FCT were located on Zakari Maimalari Street, Central Area, as well as Zone 3, 14^th and 27^th street, Games Village.

In Lagos, operatives sealed off two houses on Sobo Arobiodu street, Ikeja GRA, a plaza opposite Lagos state government secretariat, Alausa while one was locked in Dolphin estate, Ikoyi and another in Marina, Lagos island.

In a related development, the anti-graft agency has filed an amended 25-count charge against Mrs Ibru. The fresh charges have to do with the approval of N170 billion naira and $51 million dollars unsecured loans to companies linked to her.

When her matter came up before Justice Dan Abutu of the Federal High Court Lagos on Tuesday, the former bank chief executive was absent as her lawyer told the court she was ill. The lead defence counsel, Professor Taiwo Osipitan SAN, apologized to the court for the absence of the accused. He told the court that the accused was suffering from a heart related problem. The lawyer further told the court that his client has been hospitalized in an undisclosed hospital in Lagos since January 24.

The trial judge has however adjourned further hearing on the matter to February 10.

Mrs Ibru was removed by the Central Bank after an audit banks last year by the regulator.