EFCC hits back at Sowore, defends seizure of 753 luxury homes in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected criticisms by activist Omowole Sowore over its recent record-breaking recovery of 753 duplexes and other properties located at Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.

The EFCC, which secured the final forfeiture of the estate to the Federal Government on Monday has described Sowore’s comments as ‘unacceptable and grossly un-charitable.’

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, the commission clarified that its actions were in line with legal procedures established under the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

This civil proceeding allows for forfeiture actions against properties, particularly when they are unclaimed, rather than targeting individuals.

The EFCC stressed that the forfeiture was based on actionable intelligence and a thorough investigation, with the company initially flagged in connection with the estate denying ownership.

The commission further explained that the legal process was conducted transparently, with the company involved in the estate denying ownership after media publications.

It was only after this that the EFCC approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court, which granted the order for final forfeiture.

The EFCC emphasized that Sowore’s concerns about the anonymity of the estate’s promoters were misplaced, as the investigation had not linked any specific individuals to the properties’ title documents.

The statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 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.

“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.

“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.

“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, FCT, 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.

“It is important to note that the substantive criminal investigation on the matter still continues.

“The EFCC is unwavering in its no-sacred-cow approach to every matter and together we will make Nigeria greater.”