On Monday, December 2, 2024, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued a landmark ruling that secured the final forfeiture of a vast estate in Abuja, measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 753 duplex units and other apartments. This monumental decision marks the largest asset recovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since its inception in 2003. The estate, located in Lokogoma District, Abuja, is now officially forfeited to the federal government, a significant step in the fight against corruption.
The former high-ranking government official who fraudulently acquired this property is under investigation by the EFCC. The ruling stems from an application filed by the Commission, relying on legal provisions from the Advance Fee Fraud Act and the Constitution, which support the confiscation of assets obtained through illicit means. Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled that the respondent failed to provide any valid justification for retaining the property, which is suspected to have been funded by illegal activities.
The case took a critical turn on November 1, 2024, when the same judge granted an interim order of forfeiture, paving the way for the final ruling. This action highlights the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to deprive individuals involved in corruption of the ill-gotten gains from their criminal endeavors.
