By Hamilton Nwosa (Head, The New Diplomat Business and Data tracking desk)
A former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe (Rtd) has been ordered to forfeit in the interim the sum of N293million, six parcels of land and 30,000 MTN shares to the federal government as alleged proceeds from an alleged N8.5bn fraud. Justice Mohammed Liman of a Federal High Court in Lagos gave the order on Thursday March 26, 2020.
General Atewe, who is a former Commander of the Brigade of Guards is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, an erstwhile Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Others being prosecuted include Kime Enzogu and Josephine Otuaga, on a 22-count charge of Conspiracy, Stealing and Money Laundering.
The order of interim forfeiture, according to a statement by the EFCC “follows an ex-parte application by the EFCC alleging that the assets were part of proceeds of N8.5billion for the military Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, which he is accused of diverting from the military between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.”
The EFCC statement signed by its acting Head of Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade noted that the order was premised on “Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo’ s, argument that it would be in the interest of justice for the court to order the temporary forfeiture of the assets.” The trial judge has however adjourned the case to April 20, 2020 for anyone interested in the assets to appear before the court to show reasons why they should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to the EFCC, the landed properties being temporarily forfeited by General Atewe were identified as 50 hectares of farmland at Plot No. FL746B Gaube Farmland Extension II Layout, Kuje, Abuja; a piece of land located at Commercial Layout, Yenagoa Gardens, Bayelsa State; one hectre of land in Kuje District, Abuja; Plot No. CP10, Sector Centre B Layout, Kuje, Abuja; Plot MF62 Outer Northern Expressway Cadastral Zone, Abuja; Plot No. 1228 Jahi, Abuja; four hectares of land designated as Plot No.CP6386 and Plot No.CP6387, Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.
