- Safiu Kehinde
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has slammed activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, over his remark on the 753 and other apartments recovered by the agency.
Following the announcement of the recovery by the EFCC, Sowore had accused the anti-graft agency of attempt to cover up the identity of the estate’s owner as his identity was indeed undisclosed in the announcement.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC slammed Sowore, labelling his allegation as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘grossly un-charitable’.
“The commentaries of reform-minded Nigerians to the Commission’s painstaking efforts in securing the final forfeiture of the Estate to the Federal Government of Nigeria, are appreciated.
“However, the denigration of such efforts by Omowole Sowore and his think-same and act-same, is unacceptable and grossly un-charitable.” The statement read.
However, the anti-graft agency explained the reason behind the non-disclosure of the property owner.
According to the statement, 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.
With the proceeding falling under action-in personam, legal actions is only allowed against a property and not an individual-especially in a situation of an unclaimed property.
This Act, according to e EFCC, allows you to take up a forfeiture proceeding against a chattel that is not a juristic person which what the Commission did in respect of the Estate.
EFCC also explained that the company linked to the construction of the estate denied its ownership.
“The allegation of a 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.
“The latter allows legal actions against a property and not an individual, especially in a situation of an unclaimed property. 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. The company flagged by our investigations denied ownership of the Estate following publications made in leading national newspapers.
“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.” EFCC explained.
While expressing disappointment with Sowore’s remark, the EFCC reaffirmed its commitment in safeguarding the nation’s financial space against manipulator.
It, however, noted that investigation is still ongoing over the property while stressing that it will be unprofessional for the agency to resort to name-calling as purported by Sowore.
“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.
“Nigerians should gear up more against lapses and loopholes in our system that continue to make the nation vulnerable to corrupt tendencies.
“The EFCC will continue to safeguard the financial space of the nation against manipulators and organised brigandage.
“It is important to note that the substantive criminal investigation on the matter still continues.
“It will be unprofessional of the EFCC to go to town by mentioning names of individuals whose identities were not directly linked to any title document of the properties.
“The EFCC is unwavering in its no-sacred-cow approach to every matter and together we will make Nigeria greater.” EFCC added.