By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered an interim forfeiture of 40 landed properties linked to Mr Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President.
This order was given on Friday by Justice Inyang Ekwo, following an ex -parte motion filed and moved by Mr Ibrahim Buba, lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, are currently in the United Kingdom (UK) and held over allegations bordering on organ trafficking of one David Ukpo, who is said to be a minor.
Justice Ekwo, who granted the motion, ordered the anti-graft agency to publish the interim forfeiture order of the assets in a national daily within seven days.
The judge directed anybody who had interests in the forfeited properties to indicate within 14 days of the publication of the interim forfeiture order why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
Justice Ekwo then adjourned the matter until December 5 for a report.
The affected properties include 10 properties in Enugu, three in the United States of America, two in the UK, one in Lagos, nine in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and 15 located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Modupe Gbadeyanka