2nd August, 2013
The presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, HDP, in the 2011 presidential election in Nigeria, Chief Ambrose Owuru, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an allegation of obtaining the sum of N66 million from Ikechukwu Eze, under false pretence.
Owuru was arrested following a complaint by Mr. Eze who alleged that sometime in March 2011, he paid the sum of N60 million to Owuru who is also a legal practitioner, for a property located at Nzimiro Street, Amadi Flat, Port Harcourt, through Skye Bank, Olu Obansanjo Road branch, Port Harcourt.
However, in the process of taking possession of the property, Eze discovered that a portion had been sold to another person.
At this point, Owuru allegedly asked for another N6 million to settle the other buyer, Chief Austin Omire, which Eze allegedly obliged him.
Since then, every attempt to take possession or develop the said property met with resistance, said the victim.
After receiving the petition and commencement of investigation, EFCC invited Owuru severally but he refused to honour the invitation, which culminated in his arrest.
In a press release signed by Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the Acting Head of Media & Publicity at EFCC, the commission stated that investigation into the matter is ongoing.
—Nnamdi Felix/Abuja