December 04, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it withheld the identity of owners of the seized landed property with 753-unit duplexes in Abuja because it would be unprofessional to mention names of individuals who were not directly linked to any title document of the properties.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said the company, flagged by the EFCC investigations, denied ownership of the estate located in Lokogoma District, Abuja.
The EFCC, on Monday, secured a judgement through Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, ordering final forfeiture of the property, measuring 150,500-square-metre with 753 duplexes and other apartments, to the government.
While critics alleged that the commission deliberately covered up the identity of the owners of the estate, Oyewale emphasised that the forfeiture was carried out in line with Nigerian law, specifically under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
Oyewale who emphasised that the forfeiture proceeding was a civil action involving the estate, rather than targeting an individual directly, said, “The allegation of a cover-up of the identity of the promoters of the Estate stands logic on the head.
“This, in the sense that the proceedings for the forfeiture of the Estate were in line with Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act. This 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 unclaimed property.
“This Act allows you to take up a forfeiture proceeding against a chattel, who is not a juristic person. This is exactly what the Commission did in respect of the estate.”
Oyewale said the proceedings that yielded the final forfeiture of the Estate were products of actionable intelligence available to the Commission, adding that the company flagged by EFCC investigations denied ownership of the estate following publications made in leading national newspapers.
“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 High Court granted on Monday, December 2. It will 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”, he said.
The EFCC urged Nigerians to gear up more against lapses and loopholes in the system that continue to make the nation vulnerable to corrupt tendencies. It also urged critics to focus on the systemic issues that allowed such corrupt activities to occur in the first place.
“The expectation of the EFCC from citizens is a patriotic appreciation of its efforts in securing such landmark forfeiture”, Oyewale added.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
