No Hanky Panky – EFCC Clears Air On Seizure Of 753 Duplexes, Apartments In Abuja

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says there is no hanky panky in the recent court forfeiture of a massive Abuja estate to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The Anti-graft Commission said that contrary to speculations in the public space about the non-disclosure of the Estate’s ownership, due process was strictly followed in handling the case.

Located on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the forfeited property comprises 753 duplexes and apartments.

The EFCC, while reacting to allegations of a “cover-up” by activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, explained that the forfeiture proceedings adhered strictly to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

According to the anti-corruption agency, in the course of investigations, all the alleged owners disassociated themselves from the estate, prompting the court to issue a final forfeiture order.

The EFCC said; “The allegation of a cover-up of the identity of the promoters of the Estate stands logic on the head in the sense that the proceedings for the forfeiture of the Estate were in line with Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act which is a civil proceeding that allows for action-in-rem rather than action-in-personam.

“The latter allows legal actions against a property and not an individual, especially in a situation of an unclaimed property. This Act allows you to take up a forfeiture proceeding against a chattel that is not a juristic person. This is exactly what the Commission did in respect of the Estate.

“The proceedings that yielded the final forfeiture of the Estate were products of actionable intelligence available to the Commission. The company flagged by our investigations denied ownership of the Estate following publications made in leading national newspapers.”

“The commentaries of reform-minded Nigerians to the Commission’s painstaking efforts in securing the final forfeiture of the Estate to the Federal Government of Nigeria, are appreciated. However, the denigration of such efforts by Omowole Sowore and his think-same and act-same is unacceptable and grossly uncharitable.”

The EFCC further said; “On the basis of this, the Commission approached the court for an order of final forfeiture which Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court granted on Monday, December 2, 2024″.

Insisting that it would be unprofessional of the EFCC to go to town by mentioning names of individuals whose identities were not directly linked to any title document of the properties, Spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said substantive criminal investigations are ongoing, even as it dismissed claims that individuals behind the estate were being shielded from public scrutiny.

Oyewale, who offered additional insight on the case, said; “The expectation of the EFCC from citizen Sowore is a patriotic appreciation of its efforts in securing such a landmark forfeiture. It is shocking that the activist is not concerned about the systemic lassitude and unhelpful permissiveness that allowed such a monstrous corrupt act in the first instance.

“Nigerians should gear up more against lapses and loopholes in our system that continue to make the nation vulnerable to corrupt tendencies. The EFCC will continue to safeguard the financial space of the nation against manipulators and organised brigandage.”

He added that the EFCC is unwavering in its no-sacred-cow approach to every matter and together we will make Nigeria greater.

Recalled that in his reaction to the non-disclosure of the owner’s identity, Sowore had slammed EFCC for being afraid of ‘big thieves’, saying; “What is the name of the ‘former top brass’ with 753 duplexes seized by the EFCC in Abuja? The @officialEFCC is now doing PR for thieves.”

Writing on his official social media handles; he said; “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!”.