31st January, 2022
Billionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze was all smiles last Friday as he received documents for eleven houses recovered from the duo of Olisaebuka Okechukwu Eze and Onyeka Nnadozie Eze said to his nephews who had stolen an unspecified amount of money while working in his company.
The houses were recovered by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in different parts of the city.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the recovery of the houses, Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesperson said Olisaebuka and Onyeka who worked in firm belonging to Arthur Eze as administration and finance manager respectively were accused of criminal breach of trust and diversion of funds belonging to the business mogul.
EFCC added that its investigation established that the duo used proceeds of their alleged criminal activities to acquire choice properties in Enugu and other parts of South Eastern Nigeria.
Subsequently, EFCC said in the course of the investigation, it initiated a forfeiture proceedings against the two company officials before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court, Enugu.
The court granted an interim Order of forfeiture of the houses, directing the defendants to show cause why the properties should not be finally forfeited.
The anti=graft agency said in absence of any contrary information, the Court on October 18, 2021, ordered that the properties be finally forfeited and returned to the nominal complainant, Chief Arthur Eze.
Receiving the properties in Enugu, on January 28, Chief Eze expressed gratitude to the EFCC for ensuring that justice is served. In his words, “I am grateful to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, the Zonal Commander and all your men who fought for justice to be served.
“I am aware that, at some point, your men risked their lives for this cause. I pray that God who has been keeping you will always protect you. I am here in person to thank you for all that you did for me when those whom I call my own, stole from me”.
The Zonal Commander, Mr. Oshodi Johnson who handed the properties to the businessman, commended the investigative and prosecution teams as well as the judiciary for ensuring that justice is served in the case.