EFCC Withholds Name of Owner Behind Forfeited Abuja Estate with 753 Apartments

Confidence UbaniDecember 3, 20242 Mins read562

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is facing criticism for refusing to reveal the identity of a former senior government official linked to the forfeiture of a massive estate in Abuja. The estate consists of 753 duplexes and apartments. It was seized following a Federal Capital Territory High Court order on December 2, 2024, which declared that the property was likely acquired with proceeds of crime.

The estate, spanning 150,500 square metres, is on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, in Lokogoma District. Its forfeiture was initiated with an interim order secured by the EFCC on November 1, 2024. This marks the largest asset recovery in the agency’s history since its inception in 2003.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the respondent failed to prove legitimate property ownership.

The property, reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, is hereby finally forfeited to the federal government, the judge declared.

The estate reportedly linked to a former high-ranking government official, whose identity the EFCC has refused to disclose. The agency cited ongoing investigations as the reason for withholding the name.

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.

The agency said it relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act (2006) and Section 44(2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution to pursue the forfeiture. These laws empower the EFCC to confiscate properties suspected to be proceeds of economic crimes.

Despite the grievousness of the crime, the anti-corruption body failed to publicise the identity of the alleged criminal. Many Nigerians have criticised the EFCC for failing to name the official involved. Activist Omoyele Sowore accused the agency of shielding influential figures while publicly humiliating minor offenders.

He said, The [EFCC] is now doing PR for thieves. They seized this large estate with 753 duplexes from a single individual in Abuja but can’t mention his or her name. If it is Yahoo boys, they will line laptops and Nokia phones in front of them and send their photos globally even before their trial is commenced. The same EFCC is now AFRAID of BIG Thieves!

Social media users echoed similar frustrations under the X post made by the agency. One user lamented, “Nobody cares. You catch regular Nigerians everyday and display their names and faces all over the internet, but a criminal of this magnitude, you want us to be satisfied with ‘former top govt brass’?”

The EFCC stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover more details about her suspect’s fraudulent activities. However, Nigerians insist that publicising suspects’ names, regardless of their status, is essential for accountability. The agency is expected to expose, not shield, powerful and influential offenders.

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