EFCC Recovers 733 Duplex Units in Abuja Amid Anti-Corruption Drive

The EFCC achieves a major anti-corruption milestone by recovering 733 duplex units in Abuja, highlighting efforts to reclaim illicitly acquired assets.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that it has achieved the largest recovery in the agency’s history.

In a statement released on Monday, the agency announced that it had recovered 753 units of duplexes and other apartments in Abuja.

On Monday, December 2, 2024, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a ruling for the final forfeiture of an estate in Abuja that spans across 150,500 square meters and includes 753 units comprising duplexes and other apartments. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), this represents their largest asset recovery since they were established in 2003. The agency noted that the estate is situated on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09 within Lokogoma District, Abuja.

The property was forfeited to the federal government by a former high-ranking official, in line with the EFCC’s mandate and policy aimed at preventing corrupt individuals from benefiting from their illegal activities. In this case, the Commission utilized Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14, 2006, along with Section 44 (2) B of Nigeria’s Constitution as amended in 1999 to support its actions.

In a decision regarding the Commission’s request for permanent forfeiture of the property, Justice Onwuegbuzie determined that the respondent failed to demonstrate why he should retain ownership. The property, believed to have been acquired through unlawful means, is thereby permanently forfeited to the federal government.

According to the EFCC, an interim forfeiture order obtained on November 1, 2024, before the same judge facilitated the final forfeiture of the property.

“The EFCC stated that the government official, who illegally constructed the estate, is under investigation. Seizing this asset is a crucial measure to strip the suspect of any benefits gained from their criminal activities.”

The basis for the forfeiture stems from Part 2, Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act. This section states that the EFCC is authorized to conduct investigations into whether any individual, corporate body, or organization has violated this Act or other laws related to economic and financial crimes. It also allows investigations into a person’s properties if it appears their lifestyle and property ownership are not justified by their source of income.