By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the recovery of an expensive estate in Abuja’s Lokogoma District, in the country’s capital, marking its largest single asset recovery since the agency’s establishment in 2003.
The estate, situated on Plot 109 in Cadastral Zone C09, spans 150,500 square meters and comprises 753 duplexes and other apartments. The recovery was confirmed in a ruling delivered on Monday, December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
In a statement shared via its X handle, the EFCC detailed the forfeiture process, stating that the property was confiscated under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that the property, belonging to a former high-ranking government official, was acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities. The court held that the individual failed to provide sufficient justification for retaining the property. Consequently, the estate was permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
“The forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government by a former top brass of the government was pursuant to EFCC’s mandate and policy directive of ensuring that the corrupt and fraudulent do not enjoy the proceeds of their unlawful activities,” the EFCC statement read.
The commission further revealed that the respondent is under investigation for allegations of misappropriation and fraud, which it believes financed the construction of the estate. The EFCC emphasized that the forfeiture is a critical step in denying suspects the benefits of their crimes.
“The recovery of the asset represents a milestone in the annals of operations of the EFCC and infallible proof of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the anti-corruption war,” the statement concluded.
