Witness Reveal How Ohakim Bought $2.3m Property

Abu Sule, an architect and prosecution witness 2, has disclosed before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of an Abuja Federal High Court, how former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, bought a property worth $2.3 million.

BEVERLY HILLS, May 04, (THEWILL) – Ohakim is on trial for an alleged fraudulent payment for Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No. 60, Kwame Nkuruma Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

In two separate statement made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sule alleged that he received cash between September and October 2008 for the purpose of buying property for the defendant.

On the payment for the property, located at No 60, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja, Sule said he was given $2.3 million in cash packed in a 'Ghana must go' bag in $100 bills.

He said he personally took the money to Unity Bank, Maitama, and it was there he handed over the money to Isah Maidabunu who issued a deed of consignment but not receipt.

Maidabinu, a Director in the office of the Head of Service and Director of programmes at the National Institute of Public Service, in his testimony confirmed that he made move to sell his property in 2008 and got a lot of offers but sold it to Sule.

“I got the money at Unity Bank, Maitama, and gave the money to my manager. He (Sule) brought a prepared deed of attorney in the name of a company, Tweenex, which we signed,” he said.

“After a long break of 15 years, I was brought back to service in 2013 and straight to the office of the Head of Service in 2013. I was deputy director at the Presidential Villa during the interim, I was rolled into the 1998 Diya coup, I was tried and jailed.

“I bought a land and finished building the house by 1997, after which the allegation of coup arose. I did not use my salary to build the house. My father died then and bequeathed some money to me, which I used part of it to build the house.”

The court adjourned the matter till May 5, 2016 for continuation of trial.

Story by David Oputah