Account for Ibru’s N191bn seized assets – Melaye’s group

Mr Dino Melaye
| credits: File copy

Anti-Corruption Network has called on the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  to account for the N191bn assets seized from the Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru.

Ibru   had forfeited the assets to the Federal Government after pleading guilty to mismanaging shareholders’ money  under a plea bargain deal.

She was charged with  financial offences ranging from   money laundering, wire fraud to abuse,  after  she was sacked by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The ACN Executive Secretary, Mr. Dino Melaye, at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, called on the Police SFU and EFCC to tell Nigerians the whereabouts of all the properties, cash, shares and other things recovered from  Ibru.

The ex-House of Representatives member  said, “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.”

According to him, the recovered properties should be published, advertised and sold with the proceeds deposited with the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation and Assets Management Company of Nigeria.

The organisation also demanded that an independent body should be constituted to verify the  properties and their current  status through  investigation and visits to the countries where some of the assets are.

Melaye said, “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.”