Here are the photographs of the palatial house built by George Turnah, a former assistant to Bassey Dan Abia, the former managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission.
The house known as Kolo Villa sits majestically in Kolo town, in Ogbia LG of Bayelsa State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuting the man, described as former president Goodluck Jonathan’s godson, for a N3.09 billion fraud got the order of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Thursday to impound the building, along with other assets and bank accounts.
Justice Ibrahim Watilat granted the EFCC the interim forfeiture order based on an application filed before the court by EFCC’s counsel, Adebola Olatunji.
Turnah, together with seven companies, were arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, money laundering and abuse of office to the tune of N3, 094 billion.
The seven companies arraigned with Turnah are: El Godmas Global Servises Limited; Turnoil and Gas Nigeria Limited; Kolo Creek Petroleum Development Limited ; Celtic Pride Consult and Events; Yenagoa Mall, Adaka Boro Marine Services Limited and Sugarland Intergrated farms Nigeria Limited
On Friday, some Niger Deltans staged a demonstration to support the efforts of the EFCC to prosecute Turnah.
The demonstrators, under the aegis of Niger Delta Volunteer Services Scheme, and Celtic Pride and Event Limited( employees of Turnah), poured encomiums on the EFCC for “its tireless efforts against corruption” and for prosecuting George Turnah, whom they accused of “inflicting pain and suffering” on them and making them to be “primary victims of corruption”.
Henry Eniye Smith, coordinator of the group, called for the speedy trial of Turnah.
“We humbly appeal to the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Watilat for speedy trial against corrupt individuals(sic) to alleviate our pains and suffering for the sake of justice and our social development”, he said
Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: “Enough is Enough in Niger Delta”; “Thank you EFCC”; “George Turnah must return the money that is meant for the development of the youths”; “Pay us, George Turnah”; “Celtic Pride, Pay us our Pending salary”; “Thank God for Magu” and “EFCC, help us to retrieve our seized salary from former S.A youth to NDDC.”
Smith also pressed for the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
“We hereby use this medium to direct(sic) the National Assembly as a matter of urgency to duly confirm Mr. Magu as a substantive Chairman of EFCC for more effective service”, he said.
The protesters were received by Mrs. Akpos Ekisowei of the Public Affairs Department on behalf of the EFCC, who promised to convey their message to the appropriate authorities.
