A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of 52 housing units linked to proceeds of unlawful activities to the Federal Government.
Gatekeepers News reports that the order was issued by Justice Deinde Dipeolu following an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency argued that its investigation showed the property was acquired with funds believed to be proceeds of illegal activities and urged the court to permanently forfeit it to the government.
The housing estate, located in the Lokogoma District of Lagos, had earlier been placed under an interim forfeiture order by the court, which also directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to challenge the application. However, no individual or organisation came forward to claim ownership of the property within the stipulated period.
Ruling on the application for final forfeiture, Justice Dipeolu held that the EFCC had complied with the provisions of the law and established sufficient grounds for the property to be permanently forfeited. The court subsequently granted the commission’s request, ordering that the 52 housing units be forfeited to the Federal Government.
EFCC said the forfeiture forms part of its ongoing efforts to recover assets suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of crime and ensure they are returned to the government in accordance with the law.
