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The anti-graft commission said that this was the single largest asset recovery since its inception in 2003, adding that the estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called on the Nigerian government to allocate 753 forfeited duplexes in Abuja to deserving medical doctors and civil servants as a mass housing scheme.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, ordered the final forfeiture of an estate in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments.
The anti-graft commission said that this was the single largest asset recovery since its inception in 2003, adding that the estate rests 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,” the EFCC said.
Although the anti-graft agency did not mention the top former government official that the property was recovered from, SaharaReporters, later reported that former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, owns the forfeited large estate in Abuja.
Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, also confirmed the development in a post on his Twitter.
Emefiele is standing trial on several charges bordering on corruption, including in the new naira redesign before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Maryann Anenih had adjourned the matter till December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025 for continuation of trial.
Sowore had earlier blasted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for refusing to name the former Nigerian “top brass” who owned the large estate in Abuja with 753 duplexes.
In the suit no FCT/HC/M/14519/2024 before the FCT High Court, the anti-graft agency had applied for an order of final forfeiture of the said property which it said was “reasonably suspected to have been acquired and or developed with proceeds of unlawful activity pursuant to section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006 and Section 44 (2) b of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The commission had said, “Whilst investigating the alleged monumental fraud carried out by the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and his cronies traced and discovered several properties reasonably suspected to have been acquired and or developed with proceeds of unlawful activities.
“That in the cause of this investigation, it was revealed that the erstwhile CBN governor negotiates kickbacks in return for allocation of Foreign Exchange to some companies who were in desperate need of foreign exchange for their lawful and legitimate businesses.
“That our investigation equally revealed that erstwhile CBN Governor received kickbacks from some contractors who were awarded contracts by the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
However, reacting in a statement on Monday evening, Olajengbesi praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for securing the landmark forfeiture of the duplexes, describing it as a significant milestone in asset recovery.
He also commended the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the prosecuting team led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) for their diligence and dedication.
The lawyer emphasised that the successful forfeiture sends a strong message to those who engage in corrupt practices, and urged the EFCC to complete the properties and allocate them to deserving individuals, rather than selling them through auction.
“This is a boost for the fight against corruption and asset recovery, which is a fulcrum for Nigeria’s anti-graft war. The intelligence gathering and diligent prosecution of the EFCC team is most admirable. This successful final forfeiture sends a message to corrupt politicians and their cronies, diverting public funds to amass wealth for themselves,” Olajengbesi said.
“The EFCC should not auction off the forfeited properties but complete them and hand them over to doctors and other deserving civil servants to encourage them in their service to humanity,” he added.
