Ex-JTF Commander, Atewe Forfeits Property Over N8.5bn Fraud

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

A former commander of the military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, in the Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe’s properties have been forfeited by the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Justice Chukujekwu Aneke of Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of eight properties belonging to ex-JTF commander, seven in Abuja and one in Bayelsa.

Part of the properties collected from the ex-military man is also 30,000 MTN shares.

Recall, on March 26, 2020, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC secured the interim forfeiture of the sum of N290,000,000(two hundred and ninety million) suspected to be unlawfully owned and the landed properties, including 30,000 MTN shares, following an ex parte application filed before Justice Muhammad Liman.

The N8.5 billion is part of military Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, which Atewe was accused of diverting between September 5, 2014, and May 20, 2015.

EFCC prosecuted Atewe alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Kime Enzogu and Josephine Otuaga on a 22-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

The landed properties forfeiture is 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 hectare 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.

Ruling on the application, Justice Aneke granted EFCC the final forfeiture of the properties to the federal government.