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EFCC, Sowore clash over unnamed owner of 753 forfeited Abuja duplexes
EFCC, Sowore clash over unnamed owner of 753 forfeited Abuja duplexes
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday locked horns over non-disclosure of the identity of an alleged former government official who owned the forfeited 753 units of duplexes in Abuja.
While Sowore said the anti-graft agency was doing Public Relations (PR) for those whom he described as “criminals”, the EFCC said the activist was unpatriotic for not joining other Nigerians in commending the commission for the “landmark recovery”.
Daily Trust reports that the commission had on Monday announced that Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court forfeited an Abuja estate measuring 150,500 square metres containing about 753 units of duplexes and other apartments to the government.
The commission said the forfeited property, located on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja, belonged to an undisclosed government official, adding that it was the single largest asset recovery since its inception in 2003.
But reacting to the non-disclosure of the owner’s identity, Sowore lampooned the commission for not revealing the identity of the owner, saying they are afraid of big thieves.
“What is the name of the ‘former top brass’ with 753 duplexes seized by the EFCC in Abuja? The @officialEFCC is now doing PR for thieves. They seized this large estate with 753 duplexes from a single individual in Abuja but can’t mention his or her name.
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“If it is Yahoo boys, they will line laptops and Nokia phones in front of them and send their photos globally even before their trial is commenced. The same EFCC is now AFRAID of BIG Thieves!”, Sowore wrote in a post on his official social media handles.
In a swift reaction, the EFCC said what it did was in line with the laws that established the commission, saying it did not mention the name of the owner because substantive criminal investigation on the matter was ongoing.
The spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, told journalists that it would 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.
Oyewale said, “EFCC is following with keen interest, the flurry of reactions to its record-breaking recovery of 753 duplexes and other apartments on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
“The commentaries of reform-minded Nigerians to the Commission’s painstaking efforts in securing the final forfeiture of the Estate to the Federal Government of Nigeria, are appreciated.
“However, the denigration of such efforts by Omowole Sowore and his think-same and act-same, is unacceptable and grossly un-charitable.
“The allegation of cover up of the identity of the promoters of the Estate stands logic on the head in the sense that the proceedings for the forfeiture of the Estate were in line with Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act which is a civil proceeding that allows for action-in-rem rather than action-in-personam.
“The former allows legal actions against a property and not an individual, especially in a situation of an unclaimed property. This Act allows you to take up a forfeiture proceeding against a chattel that is not a juristic person. This is exactly what the Commission did in respect of the Estate.
“The proceedings that yielded the final forfeiture of the Estate were products of actionable intelligence available to the Commission.
“The company flagged by our 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, 2024.
“The expectation of the EFCC from citizen Sowore is a patriotic appreciation of its efforts in securing such a landmark forfeiture. It is shocking that the activist is not concerned about the systemic lassitude and unhelpful permissiveness that allowed such a monstrous corrupt act in the first instance.
“Nigerians should gear up more against lapses and loopholes in our system that continue to make the nation vulnerable to corrupt tendencies. The EFCC will continue to safeguard the financial space of the nation against manipulators and organised brigandage.”
He added that the EFCC is unwavering in its no-sacred-cow approach to every matter and together we will make Nigeria greater.
EFCC, Sowore clash over unnamed owner of 753 forfeited Abuja duplexes
metro
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
No Sallah durbar festival in Kano this year – Police warn
There will be no Sallah Durbar celebrations in Kano during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr festivities, the state police command has said.
It cited security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest as reasons for the ban announced on Friday ahead of the end of Ramadan fast festival holding on Sunday or Monday.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the decision while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.
He said intelligence reports revealed plans by certain groups to use the Durbar to create instability.
“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.
“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”
The Police Commissioner emphasized that the decision was taken after extensive consultations with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders.
The police command has urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated prayer grounds and to adhere to security guidelines.
Some of the restrictions in place outlined by CP Bakori include worshippers should avoiding carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion., no horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving will be allowed, and parents and guardians must caution their children against involvement in disruptive activities.
He further warned that anyone caught violating these directives would face legal consequences.
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
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