society

EFCC Makes Single Largest Asset Recovery till Date

Published

1 year ago

December 3, 2024

EFCC Makes Single Largest Asset Recovery till Date

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, on Monday, December 2, 2024 gave a ruling on a final forfeiture of an estate in Abuja measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 Units of duplexes and other apartments. This is the single largest asset recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since its inception in 2003. The Estate rests on on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja

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.

Ruling on the Commission’s application for the final forfeiture of the property, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the respondent have 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.”

The road to the final forfeiture of the property was paved by an interim forfeiture order, secured before the same Judge on November 1, 2024. The government official which fraudulently built the estate is being investigated by the EFCC. The forfeiture of the asset is an important modality of depriving the suspect of the proceeds of the crime.
The justification for the forfeiture is derived from Part 2, Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act, which stipulates that the EFCC “has power to cause investigations to be conducted as to whether any person, corporate body or organization has committed any offence under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes and cause investigations to be conducted into the properties of any person if it appears to the Commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”
The Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has repeatedly described asset recovery as pivotal in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and a major disincentive against the corrupt and the fraudulent.
Addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-corruption recently, he said, “If you understand the intricacies involved in financial crimes investigation and prosecution you will discover that to recover one billion naira is war. So, I told my people that the moment we start investigation we must also start asset tracing because asset recovery is pivotal in the anti-corruption fight; and one of the potent instruments that you can deploy as an anti-corruption agency for an effective fight is asset tracing and recovery. If you allow the corrupt or those that you are investigating to have access to the proceeds of their crime, they will fight you with it. So one of the ways to weaken them is to deprive them of the proceeds of their crime. So, our modus operandi has changed simultaneously. The moment we begin investigation, we begin asset tracing. That was what helped us to make our recoveries.”

The Establishment Act of the Commission places huge emphasis on asset recovery. Subject to the provisions of Section 24 of the Act, “whenever the assets and properties of any person arrested under the Act are attached, the Commission shall apply to the court for an interim forfeiture and where a person is arrested for an offence under the Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic and financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court. And where the assets or properties of any person arrested for an offence under the Act has been seized or any assets or property has been seized by the Commission under the Act, the Commission shall cause an application to be made to the Court for an interim order forfeiting the property concerned to the Federal Government and the court shall, if satisfied that there is prima facie evidence that the property concerned is liable to forfeiture, make an interim order forfeiting the property to the Federal Government, which the Commission would usually escalate to earn a final forfeiture”.

This procedure was duly followed in this respect. The recovery of the asset represents a milestone in the annals of operations of the EFCC and infallible proof of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the anti-corruption war.

Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
December 2, 2024

society

ONDO EAST-WEST FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY APC ADOPTS OTUNBA BOLA FISAYO

Published

8 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ONDO EAST-WEST FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY APC ADOPTS OTUNBA BOLA FISAYO

Ahead of APC House of Representatives Election scheduled for Saturday 16th of May 2026, Ondo EAST-WEST Federal Constituency stakeholders have adopted Otunba Bola Olawafisayo as its flagbearer.

Rising from the stakeholders’ meeting held at Harmony Estate in Ondo city, a source close to Otunba Bola Olawafisayo disclosed that arrangements have been perfect and party members will formally adopt Otunba Bola Olawafisayo on Saturday the very day slated very for the primary.

society

Excitement as Zamfara Under Governor Lawal Begins Airlift of Pilgrims at Zamfara Airport

Published

13 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Excitement as Zamfara Under Governor Lawal Begins Airlift of Pilgrims at Zamfara Airport

There is palpable excitement in Zamfara State as the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal officially commenced the 2026 Hajj airlift for pilgrims from the Gusau Airport (GIA). In a historic move aimed at easing the pilgrimage process, the state government announced that the first batch of pilgrims who departed for the Holy Land today, Friday, 15th May 2026.

This milestone marks the fulfillment of Governor Lawal’s promise to make direct departures from Zamfara a reality, eliminating the need for pilgrims to travel to other states for airlift. However, the state government has issued a strict advisory to the public regarding conduct at the airport. To ensure security and facilitate the smooth coordination of the airlift operations, escorting pilgrims to the airport is strictly prohibited.

Family members and friends wishing to bid farewell to their loved ones are directed to do so only at the Hajj Camp. The restriction, according to officials, is a necessary measure to prevent congestion and maintain order at the airport premises. Officials confirm that the airlift is now underway at Gusau International Airport. The development has been met with widespread praise from intending pilgrims, who expressed relief at being able to begin their spiritual journey directly from their home state.

The Zamfara State Government extended its sincere gratitude to Governor Lawal for his commitment, emphasizing that the direct airlift reflects a new chapter of convenience and efficiency for the state’s annual Hajj operations.

society

Dr. Chris Okafor Declares Grace Nation Is In The Season Of Signs And Wonders

Published

17 hours ago

May 15, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Dr. Chris Okafor Declares Grace Nation Is In The Season Of Signs And Wonders

…Reaffirm that when disobedience occurs, God’s Kingdom withdraws; serving with sincerity and fervor leads to triumph

~By Sunday Adeyemi

The metamorphosis of Grace Nation into a terrestrial paradise is palpable, with multifaceted miracles manifesting daily, as it has evolved from a church into a comprehensive movement where the all-powerful hand of God operates in diverse dimensions

The 14th of May 2026 midweek Prophetic Healing Deliverance and Solutions service was a testament to the power of faith, witnessing remarkable displays of miraculous healings, deliverances, and solutions. God’s omnipresent hand was visibly manifest, touching lives and restoring health, notably in the case of a man afflicted with body pains for 26 years, who, after being prayed for by the Generational Prophet, experienced instantaneous relief.

During the midweek service, a notable miracle took place when an 11-year-old boy who was born mute spoke for the first time. Furthermore, a woman carrying twins for an extraordinary period of 2 years was suddenly delivered; labor ensued immediately after she received prayer, necessitating her hospitalization. In a stunning display of divine intervention, growth ceased, and a woman testified to the efficacy of the Generational Prophet’s prayers, which had been offered on her behalf a few weeks earlier. Specifically, her business-related struggles seemed insurmountable until her tricycle, which had lain dormant for weeks, suddenly sprang to life without any mechanical intervention.

Marital obstacles hindering the two brides-to-be were removed, as many expectant mothers were blessed with miracle babies. It is evident that Grace Nation is undergoing its phases of astounding Signs and Wonders.

Generational Prophet Dr. Chris Okafor, in his teachings on ‘Dealing With My Daddy’s Devil,’ points out that the sins of fathers can weigh heavily on their children, and unless one actively works to break this cycle, generational battles will inevitably continue from one generation to the next

*How to Deal with Your Daddy’s Devil*

To successfully address the issue of generational curses or strongholds in your family, it is necessary to understand the underlying spiritual principles and technical aspects. Knowing the source and method of entry of the devil into your bloodline, as well as the reasons behind its establishment in your father’s house, is vital. By understanding these key concepts, you will be able to make positive changes and effectively deal with these generational battles

*Breaking Free from Generational Conflict.*

In order to overcome the devilish influences of your father, serving your Lord and Savior in truth and spirit is essential; this empowers and elevates you above all earthly struggles

A strong prayer life is crucial for spiritual well-being; the devil commonly uses the depletion of one’s prayer life as a tactic to dominate the lives of God’s spiritually vulnerable children

Hence, the sole legitimate approach to terminating the devil’s influence within one’s family lineage involves authentic devotion to God, necessitating a superior force to dislodge an entrenched inferior spirit, with Generational Prophet of God Dr. Chris Okafor underscoring adherence to covenant principles as pivotal in transcending intergenerational curses

The midweek Prophetic Healing Deliverance and Solutions (PHDS) took place at the International Headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide, situated in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.