The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has justified its decision not to disclose the identities of the owners of 753 duplexes recently seized in Abuja, citing adherence to legal procedures. This move has drawn criticism, including from Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
In a statement issued to Journalists on Wednesday, EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, dismissed the backlash as “unacceptable” and characterized it as an unwarranted attack on the agency’s efforts to combat corruption. He clarified that the forfeiture was conducted under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, which permits action against properties (action-in-rem) rather than individuals (action-in-personam), particularly in cases involving unclaimed assets.
“The proceedings followed actionable intelligence, and when the company flagged in our investigations disclaimed ownership of the estate, the EFCC sought a court order for final forfeiture. This was granted by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on December 2, 2024,” Oyewale explained.
He emphasized that revealing ownership identities prematurely would be inappropriate, as the substantive criminal investigation remains ongoing. Oyewale also criticized Sowore’s comments, urging patriotic support for the commission’s efforts rather than undermining them.
“The EFCC expects Nigerians to focus on addressing systemic lapses that enable such massive corruption, instead of casting aspersions on the agency’s efforts,” the statement added.
The EFCC reassured the public of its commitment to a “no-sacred-cow” policy in its fight against corruption, reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s financial integrity and working towards a better Nigeria.
