Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The bid by the former Manager of Sterling Bank, Plc, Oliver Anidiobi to reclaim property built through the proceeds of crime has failed as an Enugu State High Court presided over by Honorable Justice Cyprian Ajah (PHD), struck out the suit.
This was contained in a human rights update issued by the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), through its president, Olu Omotayo Esq, on Tuesday in Enugu.
Anidiobi, a former Manager of Sterling Bank Plc, was convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment on November 2nd 2021, for forgery and stealing of the sum of N219 Million Naira deposited for Fixed Deposit by Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited.
Anidiobi was, however, granted pardon on the 31st December 2024, by Governor Peter Mbah under prerogative of mercy.
Thereafter, he filed a suit demanding to recover one of the properties which he acquired with the proceeds of the crimes and ordered by the court to be attached and sold and the proceeds be paid to Ohha Microfinance Bank Ltd the nominal complainant.
The Particulars of the action filed by him, through his lawyer are:
Suit No.E /911M/2025, OLIVER ANIDIOBI VS. THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 2. Economic and financial crimes commission, 3. Ohha microfinance bank ltd, 4.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL & COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE ENUGU STATE, 5. THE CHAIRMAN PREROGATIVE OF MERCY MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, 6. THE CHIEF REGISTRAR HIGH COURT ENUGU.
The pardoned convict filed this suit to recover some properties he acquired through the proceeds of crime, which were ordered by the court to be attached and sold and the proceeds paid to Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited, the nominal Complainant he duped of N219 million Naira.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, C.F. Oziri (Mss), appeared for the Applicant, while Olu Omotayo Esq. appeared for Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited. Michael Ani, represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and D..C. Odugu, appeared for the Attorney General of Enugu State.
The lawyer to the Applicant C.F. Oziri (Miss), applied to withdraw the suit.
The counsels for the Respondents didn’t oppose the withdrawal.
The Presiding Judge Honorable Justice Cyprian Ajah , held that in view of no objection by the Respondents to the withdrawal, the suit is hereby struck out accordingly.
