Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed the recovery of an estate in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 units of duplexes and other apartments.
The commission described it as its “single largest asset recovery” since its inception in 2003.
According to a statement issued via the EFCC’s X handle on Monday, the estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09 of the district, was forfeited in a ruling on Monday, December 2, 20204, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
“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 statement said.
It added that 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 C of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case.
Justice Onwuegbuzie stated that the said ex-government official had 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.”
While the anti-graft agency noted that the respondent is under investigation as it alleged that the estate was built with proceeds from fraudulent activities, it said, “The forfeiture of the asset is an important modality of depriving the suspect of the proceeds of the crime.”
“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 added.
GIK/APA