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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced on Monday what it has described as its most significant asset recovery since its establishment.
The reclaimed property, located in the Federal Capital Territory, is a vast estate spanning 150,500 square meters and housing 753 residential units, including duplexes and apartments.
Located on Plot 109, in the Cadastral Zone C09 of Abuja’s Lokogoma District, the estate is situated in a prominent area of the city.
On December 2, 2024, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a ruling that led to the recovery of the asset.The judge granted an interim forfeiture order on the property on November 1, 2024.
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.
He said, “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 since its inception in 2023. The estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
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“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.”
Oyewale said 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 1999 Constitution to push its case.
Ruling on the commission’s application for the final forfeiture of the property, Oyewale said Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the respondent had not shown cause as to why he should not lose the property, which was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
“The government official, who 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,” Oyewale added.
