KEY POINTS
- EFCC recovers 753-unit Abuja estate linked to corruption.
- Court orders final forfeiture to the federal government.
- Asset recovery reinforces EFCC’s anti-corruption strategy.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday announced its largest asset recovery to date, involving the forfeiture of a massive estate in Abuja linked to a government official.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the final forfeiture of the estate, which spans 150,500 square meters in the Lokogoma District and comprises 753 duplexes and apartments.
Legal grounds for forfeiture
The court’s ruling followed the EFCC’s case that the estate was acquired using proceeds of unlawful activities.
In its statement, the EFCC disclosed that the property, located on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, is now under the ownership of the federal government. An interim forfeiture order had been granted on November 1, 2024, paving the way for the final ruling.
The EFCC built its case on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006, and Section 44 (2) B of the Nigerian Constitution. Justice Onwuegbuzie concluded that the respondent failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the estate’s acquisition, declaring, “The property is hereby finally forfeited to the Federal Government.”
The anti-graft agency emphasized that the forfeiture aligns with its broader mandate of combating corruption by depriving suspects of illicitly acquired assets. “This outcome underscores the EFCC’s commitment to ensuring that proceeds of unlawful activities do not benefit corrupt individuals,” the agency said.
EFCC’s focus on asset recovery
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has repeatedly highlighted asset recovery as a key strategy in the fight against corruption. Speaking to the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Olukoyede stressed the importance of asset tracing during investigations to prevent suspects from using ill-gotten wealth to obstruct justice.
“Asset recovery is pivotal in the anti-corruption fight. One effective way to weaken corrupt actors is by depriving them of their crime’s proceeds,” he noted.
Implications for the anti-corruption drive
The recovery of this estate is a landmark achievement for the EFCC, reinforcing the government’s commitment to curbing corruption and economic crimes. Investigations into the government officials involved are ongoing, with the EFCC stating that such measures serve as a deterrent to future offenders.
By focusing on both prosecution and asset recovery, the EFCC aims to bolster its efforts in promoting accountability and transparency within Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
