Ex-Enugu Chief Judge Loses Appeal Against Forfeiture of Account

Ex-Enugu Chief Judge Loses Appeal Against Forfeiture of Account

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at the Court of Appeal, Enugu secured a landmark  Judgement when the appellate court dismissed the appeal by former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike challenging the interim forfeiture of the N50 Million in his Zenith Bank account.

The judgment read by Justice Ogunwumiju upheld the decision of the lower court to order the temporary forfeiture of the money.

Umezulike had appealed the order given by Justice A. M Liman of the Federal High Court, Enugu in March 2017 following EFCC’s application seeking the freezing, seizure and forfeiture of properties linked to him. The Commission claimed there was reasonable suspicion that the money was part alleged donation which the former Chief Judge recived from a litigant in his court.

The former Chief Judge was arraigned on July 14,2017 on a one-count charge of use of office to confer corrupt  and unfair advantage upon himself contrary to Section 19 of the Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offence Act (Laws of the Federation) 2000.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media and Publicity
8 December, 2017