Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the successful recovery of a substantial property in the Lokogoma district of Abuja, marking what it has described as the “largest asset recovery” since its establishment in 2003.
The seized property spans an impressive 150,500 square meters and includes 753 duplex units and other apartments.
The EFCC hailed this operation as a significant achievement in its ongoing fight against corruption, with officials stating that it highlights the agency’s determination to ensure that illicit wealth is not allowed to flourish.
Largest Seizure in EFCC History
According to a statement released on the EFCC’s X account on Monday, the seized property is located on plot 109 in the C09 cadastral zone of the district.
The court decision to confiscate the land was made on December 2, 2024, by Judge Jude Onwuegbuzie.
The EFCC explained that the confiscation was in line with its mandate to ensure that individuals involved in corrupt practices cannot benefit from the proceeds of their illegal activities.
The commission referenced Section 17 of the 2006 Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, as well as Section 44(2) B of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, to support its legal action.
Judge Onwuegbuzie noted that the former high-ranking government official who owned the property had failed to provide a justifiable reason for not losing the asset, which was suspected to have been acquired through illegal means.
The judge ordered that the property be permanently confiscated in favor of the federal government.
Corruption Fight Intensifies
Although the individual linked to the property remains under investigation for allegedly building the estate with funds obtained through fraudulent activities, the EFCC emphasized that the confiscation was a crucial step in depriving the suspect of the illicit gains.
The EFCC also lauded the recovery as a “milestone” in its operations and a clear demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to combating corruption.
The agency’s statement underscored that the recovery serves as a testament to the EFCC’s continuing resolve in its battle against economic crime in Nigeria.
