Court says deposit 150Billion Naira and you can go away .Money laundering charges await in US
Despite a court order releasing her passport, a former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank International Plc, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, has not been able to travel to the United States for medical treatment.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Daniel Abutu, had on December 19, 2009 granted the request of Ibru to travel to Washington DC , the United States for medical treatment.
But the judge gave her up to January 24 to return to the country in view of her trial which is coming up on January 26.
Investigation by The Nation however revealed that the CBN has secured another court order to protect depositors’ funds.
The order asked Ibru to deposit N150billion with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Ibru to cover part of her liabilities before she can travel for medical treatment.
It was learnt that the CBN made the demand following fears that she might run away from the country under the guise of medical check-up.
A highly-placed source said: "Since she has about N235billion exposure, the CBN wanted her to deposit about N150billion as a guarantee that she will return to the country.
"Based on the court order obtained by the CBN, Mrs. Ibru asked her counsel to negotiate with the apex bank on the fresh demand.
"When Ibru’s counsel met with the CBN team, they said they would go and consider the proposal. But they have not returned since then.
"The situation has left Mrs. Ibru stranded in the country as she is legally barred. The CBN is also not ready for any waiver."
Asked when the negotiation on the medical trip will resume, the source added: "It is left to Mrs. Ibru if she is ready to part with N150billion.
"We have reached a level that suspect standing trial for alleged financial crimes would not be allowed to hide under the law to escape from justice."
Another source in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission also said: "Mrs. Ibru is still in the country because we have initially watch-listed her to relevant agencies in the United States .
"If she goes to the US today, she will also face a fresh trial for money laundering. I think she chose to stay in Nigeria to bear her cross.
Out of 75 properties which Mrs. Ibru allegedly with slush funds, 12 houses are in the United States.
Buildings suspected to have been bought by Cecilia Ibru in the United States with the funds of Oceanic Bank International Plc, through Agape Global Real Estate LLC, are located at 4155 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$452,508.00 (registered in the name of Anita DaSilva Ibru); 4145 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$440,105.00 (registered in the name of Anita DaSilva Ibru); 4139 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$451,629.00 (registered in the name of Edesiri Onatejerohene Ibru); and 4149 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$473,657.00 (registered in the name of Obaro and Hirut Ibru).
Others are 4141 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$441,790.00 (registered in the name of Cecilia Ibru); 4143 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$439,362.00 (registered in the name of Cecilia Ibru); 14605 Hawley Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$399,990.00 (registered in the name of Janet Ibru); 14630 Hawley Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$460,703.00 (registered in the name of Janet Ibru); 14721 Argos Place, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$457,950.00 (registered in the name of Janet Ibru); 14719 Argos Place, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$451,840.00 (registered in the name of Janet Ibru); 11300 Dappled Grey Way, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA, purchased for the sum of US$987,949.00 (registered in the name of Cecilia Ibru).
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