Assets recovery: Sen. Uba faults Uwajeh’s appointment

Sen. Andy Uba, representing Anambra South Senatorial District,
has faulted the appointment of Mr Victor Uwajeh, by the Federal
Government as a consultant to trace and recover public funds.

Mr Anayo Adibe, Uba’s lawyer, in a statement issued on Friday in
Abuja, expressed concern over Uwajeh’s appointment to recover
assets.

He said that his concern was hinged on the fact that there was a
four-count charge against Uwajeh at the Federal High Court Abuja,
which he was yet to clear.

“I am not condemning Uwajeh out rightly as the rule of law
holds, the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Such matters
are to be left to the judge in a court of law.

“But what is to be said of a man who has so egregiously refused
to stand trial and provide himself the opportunity to clear himself
of his charges?

“He remains, as described by the presiding judge, ‘a fugitive of
the law’.

“What is certain is that this is not someone who appears worthy
of such an appointment.

“This is public business and we as honest members of the
Nigerian public retain the right to scrutinise those who are
mandated to act on our collective behalf.

“Meanwhile, as it were, let us attend to the facts of the
matter.

“Uwajeh allegedly a private investigator based in the United
Kingdom is under prosecution by the Attorney -General of the
Federation for charges including conspiracy, criminal
impersonation, fraud and forgery.

“The court has since granted the request made by the ‎Federal
Government to serve criminal summons on Uwajeh through substituted
means by pasting at his premises.

“The judge, Justice John Tsoho granted the application after
counsel to the government, Aminu Alilu informed the court that
Uwajeh had on several occasions evaded service of court
summons.

“The government alleged that Uwajeh tried to obtain money
through fraudulent means and was indicted by an investigation of a
crack team from the Nigerian Police Force based on a
petition.’’

Uba, therefore, wondered why government would appointment Uwajeh
to help it trace and recover public assets and proceeds of fraud as
part of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.

Newsmen report that Uwajeh’s appointment was made known by Okoi
Obono-Obla, Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Prosecution Matters.

Obla is also Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel
for the Recovery of Public Property.

All efforts by newsmen to reach Uwajeh to get his reaction were
not successful as his phone was switched off.

NAN

Sen. Andy Uba, representing Anambra South Senatorial District,
has faulted the appointment of Mr Victor Uwajeh, by the Federal
Government as a consultant to trace and recover public
funds.

Mr Anayo Adibe, Uba’s lawyer, in a statement issued on Friday in
Abuja, expressed concern over Uwajeh’s appointment to recover
assets.

He said that his concern was hinged on the fact that there was a
four-count charge against Uwajeh at the Federal High Court Abuja,
which he was yet to clear.

“I am not condemning Uwajeh out rightly as the rule of law
holds, the accused is innocent until proven guilty. Such matters
are to be left to the judge in a court of law.

“But what is to be said of a man who has so egregiously refused
to stand trial and provide himself the opportunity to clear himself
of his charges?

“He remains, as described by the presiding judge, ‘a fugitive of
the law’.

“What is certain is that this is not someone who appears worthy
of such an appointment.

“This is public business and we as honest members of the
Nigerian public retain the right to scrutinise those who are
mandated to act on our collective behalf.

“Meanwhile, as it were, let us attend to the facts of the
matter.

“Uwajeh allegedly a private investigator based in the United
Kingdom is under prosecution by the Attorney -General of the
Federation for charges including conspiracy, criminal
impersonation, fraud and forgery.

“The court has since granted the request made by the ‎Federal
Government to serve criminal summons on Uwajeh through substituted
means by pasting at his premises.

“The judge, Justice John Tsoho granted the application after
counsel to the government, Aminu Alilu informed the court that
Uwajeh had on several occasions evaded service of court
summons.

“The government alleged that Uwajeh tried to obtain money
through fraudulent means and was indicted by an investigation of a
crack team from the Nigerian Police Force based on a
petition.’’

Uba, therefore, wondered why government would appointment Uwajeh
to help it trace and recover public assets and proceeds of fraud as
part of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.

Newsmen report that Uwajeh’s appointment was made known by Okoi
Obono-Obla, Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Prosecution Matters.

Obla is also Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel
for the Recovery of Public Property.

All efforts by newsmen to reach Uwajeh to get his reaction were
not successful as his phone was switched off.

NAN