Detectives have traced over N632.2million to former Enugu State Chief
Judge, Innocent Azubuike Umezulike’s account.
Some of the lodgements came from lawyers, businessmen, politicians and
litigants, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) source has
revealed.
Besides, Justice Umezulike is believed to have been operating another
secret account without a Bank Verification Number (BVN) to hide his deals.
Three properties allocated to the ex-CJ may be confiscated, The Nation
learnt.
The former Chief Judge has been invited for interrogation on January 17
on some of the “shocking” lodgments.
It was learnt that the ongoing probe of the judge followed petitions
against him, including some sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The NJC on September 29, 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
Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court was recommended for
dismissal.
The NJC said it recommended Umezulike to Governor Justice Lawrence
Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for compulsory retirement for “delivering judgment in a
case 126 days after final addresses were adopted by parties, and for other
instances of abuse of office”.
He has since been retired.
The council also found Justice Umezulike guilty of allegedly “receiving a
donation of N10m from a businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, during his book launch
while two cases in which Eze was said to have had “vested interest”, were in
the judge’s court.”
There appears to be more trouble for Justice Umezulike, going by the
preliminary investigation of EFCC detectives.
A highly-placed source, said: “From the probe of the salary account of
the judge with the main branch of First Bank Plc in Enugu, our team discovered
that he was operating it without a BVN as at June 2016.
“Further verification showed that he was earning N701, 726. 28 per month
but he did not make any single withdrawal for 11 months.
“When we analysed an account linked to the judge, the turnover was about
N396, 544.034.73 with a closing balance of N632.223.47 as at 15th of June
2016.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “We were able to identify how
lodgments were made into the account linked to Justice Umezulike.
“The depositors included Justice Umezulike, legal practitioners,
businessmen, politicians and litigants. The judge invested most of the cash in
Treasury Bills.”
The source added: “Our detectives uncovered three properties allocated to
the ex-CJ by the Enugu State Government. These are:
Plot H/136 Golf Phase II, Enugu allocated in 2000 but sold to Mr. J.I.
Chime in 2007 who subsequently sold it to Cosmas Offia in 2008;
Block B2 Flat 16 Maryland Estate, Enugu allocated in 2012 Sold to Igwe
Goddy Moore; and
Plot H/88 Gold Estate Phase I, GRA Enugu allocated in 2015 which is still
in the judge’s possession.
“We may however place the properties located so far under temporary asset forfeiture.
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