Posted by By ADESINA AIYEKOTI on
Tired of incarceration, former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has expressed willingness to forfeit sizeable portion of his multi-billion naira property for freedom.
Tired of incarceration, former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, has expressed willingness to forfeit sizeable portion of his multi-billion naira property for freedom.
Daily Sun gathered that the embattled ex-governor has already sent emissaries to the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Alamieyeseigha, who's ill was said to have begun the move to relinquish his assets for freedom shortly after the Court of Appeal dismissed his prayer for a stay of proceedings in the criminal charges of corrupt enrichment brought against him and his companies.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top official of the EFCC, said: 'Former governor Alamieyeseigha wants to follow the footsteps of former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun. He has been sending people to us, expressing his preparedness to surrender some of his assets to regain freedom."
Prior to Alamieyeseigha's impeachment last December, the EFCC listed his property in Nigeria to include:
•Two blocks of luxury flats on Plot 26, Bashir Dalhatu Close, Abacha Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, worth N450 million;
•A mansion at 4A, Ilubirin Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, worth N250 million
•An estate of six luxury duplexes on 1, Community Road, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos worth N200 million
•A property at No. 7, Mississippi Street, Maitama, Abuja
•Chelsea Hotels, Abuja, worth N2 billion
•A property in John Kadiya Street, off Jose Martin Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja, worth N350 million.
•Continental Bank building, Boro Park, Port-Harcourt.
The EFCC also said in the report that it had traced over N1.7 billion to eight of the governor's accounts in the United Kingdom, adding that it had also uncovered an oil refinery in Ecuador, six companies and 18 choice property.
Alamieyeseigha and his companies, Solomon and Peters Limited, Santolina and Peters Limited, Santolina Investment Corporation, Pesol Nigeria Limited, Kpedefa Nigeria Limited, Jetty Properties Limited and Herbage Global Services Limited are currently facing a 40-count charge of money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos.