Allocate Forfeited 753 Duplexes In Abuja Property To Medical Medical doctors, Civil Servants – Lawyer Olajengbesi Tells EFCC

The anti-graft fee mentioned that this was the one largest asset restoration since its inception in 2003, including that the property rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has referred to as on the Nigerian authorities to allocate 753 forfeited duplexes in Abuja to deserving medical docs and civil servants as a mass housing scheme.

SaharaReporters reported on Monday that the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) introduced that Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, ordered the ultimate forfeiture of an property within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, measuring 150,500 sq. metres and containing 753 Items of duplexes and different residences.

The anti-graft fee mentioned that this was the one largest asset restoration since its inception in 2003, including that the property rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

“The forfeiture of the property to the federal authorities by a former prime brass of the federal government was pursuant to EFCC’s mandate and coverage directive of making certain that the corrupt and fraudulent don’t benefit from the proceeds of their illegal actions.

“On this occasion, the Fee relied on Part 17 of the Advance Charge Fraud And Different Fraud Associated Offences Act No 14, 2006 and Part 44 (2) B of the Structure of the 199 Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case,” the EFCC mentioned.

Though the anti-graft company didn’t point out the highest former authorities official that the property was recovered from, SaharaReporters, later reported that former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, owns the forfeited massive property in Abuja.

Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Motion, Omoyele Sowore, additionally confirmed the event in a submit on his Twitter.

Emefiele is standing trial on a number of prices bordering on corruption, together with within the new naira redesign earlier than the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Excessive Court docket in Maitama, Abuja.

Justice Maryann Anenih had adjourned the matter until December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025 for continuation of trial.

Sowore had earlier blasted the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC), for refusing to call the previous Nigerian “prime brass” who owned the massive property in Abuja with 753 duplexes.

Within the go well with no FCT/HC/M/14519/2024 earlier than the FCT Excessive Court docket, the anti-graft company had utilized for an order of ultimate forfeiture of the mentioned property which it mentioned was “fairly suspected to have been acquired and or developed with proceeds of illegal exercise pursuant to part 17 of the Advance Charge Fraud and different Fraud Associated Offences Act No. 14, 2006 and Part 44 (2) b of the 1999 Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

The fee had mentioned, “While investigating the alleged monumental fraud carried out by the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and his cronies traced and found a number of properties fairly suspected to have been acquired and or developed with proceeds of illegal actions.

“That in the reason for this investigation, it was revealed that the erstwhile CBN governor negotiates kickbacks in return for allocation of International Change to some corporations who had been in determined want of international change for his or her lawful and bonafide companies.

“That our investigation equally revealed that erstwhile CBN Governor obtained kickbacks from some contractors who had been awarded contracts by the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

Nonetheless, reacting in an announcement on Monday night, Olajengbesi praised the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) for securing the landmark forfeiture of the duplexes, describing it as a major milestone in asset restoration.

He additionally recommended the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the prosecuting staff led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) for his or her diligence and dedication.

The lawyer emphasised that the profitable forfeiture sends a robust message to those that interact in corrupt practices, and urged the EFCC to finish the properties and allocate them to deserving people, reasonably than promoting them by way of public sale.

“This can be a increase for the combat towards corruption and asset restoration, which is a fulcrum for Nigeria’s anti-graft conflict. The intelligence gathering and diligent prosecution of the EFCC staff is most admirable. This profitable ultimate forfeiture sends a message to deprave politicians and their cronies, diverting public funds to amass wealth for themselves,” Olajengbesi mentioned.

“The EFCC shouldn’t public sale off the forfeited properties however full them and hand them over to docs and different deserving civil servants to encourage them of their service to humanity,” he added.