The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday announced its most significant asset recovery since its establishment. The recovered asset is a massive estate spanning 150,500 square meters, comprising 753 duplexes and other apartments, situated on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
The recovery followed a final forfeiture ruling delivered on December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie. This ruling came after an initial order for interim forfeiture of the property was issued on November 1, 2024.
According to a statement from the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the estate was linked to a former high-ranking government official and was acquired through proceeds of corruption.
Oyewale stated, “Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday, December 2, 2024, granted a final forfeiture order on an estate in Abuja, measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 753 units of duplexes and other apartments. This marks the single largest asset recovery by the EFCC since its inception in 2023.”
He added that the forfeiture aligns with the EFCC’s mandate to ensure that corrupt individuals do not benefit from illicitly acquired assets. The commission relied on provisions of 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 to build its case.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling, noted that the respondent failed to provide sufficient evidence to dispute the EFCC’s claims, stating that the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.
Oyewale further emphasized the importance of the recovery, noting, “The forfeiture of the estate to the Federal Government is an essential step in depriving the suspect of the proceeds of their criminal activities. The investigation into the former government official who built the estate fraudulently is ongoing.”
This landmark recovery underscores the EFCC’s resolve to tackle corruption and reclaim assets unlawfully acquired by public officials.
