The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved a significant victory with the final forfeiture of a vast estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), marking its largest single asset recovery since its inception in 2003.
On Monday, Jude Onwuegbuzie, a judge at the FCT High Court, delivered the ruling in favor of the EFCC. According to a statement from the agency, the estate spans 150,500 square meters and includes 753 duplex units and other apartment buildings.
The individual who forfeited the estate remains unnamed, but it was revealed to belong to a former senior government official.
This decision follows an interim forfeiture order granted earlier by the same judge on November 1, 2024. The EFCC is investigating the former official for fraudulent activities connected to the construction of the estate, which was built with illicit funds.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, explained that the forfeiture is part of the commission’s efforts to deprive the suspect of proceeds from their criminal activities.
The EFCC relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 44(2)(b) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution in its legal approach.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasized that asset recovery is a critical tool in the fight against corruption and financial crimes, serving as a significant deterrent to corrupt individuals.
The court ruled that the individual did not provide sufficient reason to retain ownership of the property, leading to its final forfeiture.
