EFCC makes single largest asset recovery in 21 years
EFCC investigators found receipt for roofing 753 Abuja estate duplexes in Emefiele’s home – Report
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) found a receipt ordering for roofing of the large estate in Abuja with 753 duplexes in the home of former Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, during a search in his Lagos State home, SaharaReporters has learnt.
This find is being regarded as a notable development, as the EFCC has indicated that it represents the single largest asset recovery since the Commission was established in 2003.
While the EFCC has chosen not to disclose specific details, this recovery highlights the ongoing efforts to address financial crimes and promote accountability.
The estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
SaharaReporters had however exlcusively reported that Emefiele owned the large estate in Abuja which has the 753 duplexes forfeited to the Nigerian government.
Giving an update to SaharaReporters on Tuesday, a top source in the EFCC revealed how the sprawling estate was linked to Emefiele.
“There was no document linking him to the ownership of the estate. Our operatives only found a receipt for ordering roofing. It was found during a search on his Lagos home led by EFCC investigators,” the source revealed.
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Emefiele is standing trial on several charges bordering on corruption, including in the new naira redesign before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Maryann Anenih had adjourned the matter till December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025, for continuation of trial.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had earlier blasted the EFCC, for refusing to name the former Nigerian “top brass” who owned the large estate in Abuja with 753 duplexes.
Sowore, former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections, had noted on Monday that the EFFC was afraid of big thieves and had become their public relations officer.
In an update, the human rights activist had said, “I just heard from the grapevine that the 753 duplexes forfeited by an FCT court in Apo belong to Muhammadu Buhari’s CBN gov, Godwin Emefiele.”
The EFCC had said, “The forfeiture of the property to the federal government by a former top brass of the government was pursuant to EFCC’s mandate and policy directive of ensuring that the corrupt and fraudulent do not enjoy the proceeds of their unlawful activities.”
“In this instance, the Commission relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14, 2006 and Section 44 (2) B of the Constitution of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case,” the EFCC had added.
Ruling on the Commission’s application for the final forfeiture of the property, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the respondent has not shown cause as to why he should not lose the property, “which has been reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities, the property is hereby finally forfeited to the federal government.”
-SaharaReporters
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