Why We Didn’t Reveal Identity Of Owner Of 753 Units Of Duplexes In Abuja – EFCC

On Monday, the EFCC announced the recovery of 753 duplexes and other apartments located on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, in the Lokogoma District of Abuja.

However, the commission faced widespread criticism for withholding the identity of the property’s owner.

Among the critics was Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), who accused the EFCC of being hesitant to confront “big thieves.”

In response, the EFCC issued a statement on Tuesday through its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

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Oyewale explained that the commission’s actions were guided by the legal framework for forfeiture proceedings and its commitment to professionalism.

He clarified that the estate’s forfeiture followed civil proceedings under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, which allows for action-in-rem—focusing on property rather than individuals—especially in cases involving unclaimed assets.

He said, “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.