IBRU'S LOOT: EFCC, Where Are The Properties - Dino Melaye

Former member of the House of Representative and anti corruption campaigner  Dino Melaye has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to account for the N191bn assets seized from the Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru.

Melaye said at a press conference with Journalists in Abuja on Thursday that Ibru had forfeited the assets to the Federal Government after pleading guilty to mismanaging shareholders’ money under a plea bargain deal and then charged with financial offences ranging from money laundering, wire fraud to abuse, after she was sacked by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He therefore called on the Police SFU and EFCC to tell Nigerians the whereabouts of all the properties, cash, shares and other things recovered from Ibru.

Melaye who is also the Executive Secretary of ACN said the recovered properties should be made public and sold with the proceeds deposited with the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation and Assets Management Company of Nigeria.

He continued “Our investigation and physical visits to some of the properties in the United States and United Kingdom revealed that some of the properties claimed to have been forfeited are still in her custody directly or indirectly.

“Nigerians home and abroad were aware of the case of Mrs. Cecilia Ibru and her eventual conviction in the court of law. The case eventually ran aground Oceanic Bank and put billions of Naira of shareholders’money in jeopardy. You are also aware that plea bargain was introduced to this case and consequently, she was convicted disproportionately to the degree of crime she committed.”

“She (Ibru) has since been freed. The EFCC claimed that they had recovered all the properties so fraudulently acquired with shareholders’ money – the aircraft and monies. If actually these monies and aircraft were recovered, they are supposed to be deposited with the NDIC and AMCON for onward transfer to the shareholders of the defunct Oceanic Bank.

“This is a pointer to the fact that the much talked about fight against corruption by President Goodluck Jonathan administration is a mere lip service and fallacy.

“You will all recall how many ministers we have published their evidentially supported corrupt practices and they are still sitting comfortably in the Federal Executive Council meetings under the watchful eyes of Mr. President.”

Source: Citizens Platform