The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Monday announced the recovery of 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments in an estate in Lokogoma District Abuja.
The recovery followed a ruling delivered on December 2, 2024 by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
On November 1, 2024, the judge had given an order of interim forfeiture on the property.
A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the property was owned by a former top brass of the government.
According to Oyewale’s statement:” Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday,  December 2, 2024 gave a ruling on a final forfeiture of an estate in Abuja  measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments.
“This is the single largest asset recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since its inception in 2023.   The Estate rests on on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District,Abuja
“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.
“In this instance, the Commission relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14, 2006 and Section 44 (2) B of the Constitution of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case.
“Ruling on the Commission’s application for the final forfeiture of the property, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the respondent have not shown cause  as to why he should not lose the property, “which has been reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, the property is hereby finally forfeited to the federal government.”
Though the commission PR is yet to disclose thewhom the assets belong to, however its chairman, Mr. Ola Olukayode affirmed that recovery and forfeiture is a necessary measure taken to reduce crime in the country.
“The government official which fraudulently built the estate is being investigated by the EFCC.  The forfeiture of the asset is an important modality of depriving the suspect of the proceeds of the crime.
“The Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has repeatedly described asset recovery as pivotal in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and a major disincentive against the corrupt and the fraudulent.”
 
EFCC ascribed its biggest achievement to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s to wage war against crime:
“This procedure was duly followed in this respect.  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.”

By; Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
adeoye.o@thesubstancenews.com