The anti-corruption agency says the houses were built with proceeds from corruption [EFCC]
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency has said it has made the largest ever seizure of assets allegedly purchased with the proceeds of corruption.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that it has taken possession of a large residential area comprising over 750 properties in the capital, Abuja.
The agency did not reveal exactly who owned the land and luxury homes, but the statement said they belonged to a former high-ranking member of the government.
The EFCC was established in 2003 to combat corruption in a country where corruption is considered endemic and exists in all government structures.
“The forfeiture of property…was [in line with the] The mandate and policy directive of the EFCC to ensure that corrupt and fraudulent persons do not benefit from the proceeds of their unlawful activities,” the agency said.
Located on the outskirts of Abuja, passers-by have been wondering for years who owned the estate of some 150,000 square meters.
An Abuja-based real estate expert estimated that the seized assets in the market would be worth tens of millions of dollars.
Corruption remains one of Nigeria’s biggest problems, despite successive governments promising to end it.
The country is one of Africa’s largest oil producers, but few of its more than 225 million inhabitants have benefited from this wealth.
There are currently several corruption cases before the courts involving former or current government officials.
In May this year, a former aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, appeared in court along with his daughter and son-in-law on corruption charges.
Sirika was considered one of the most powerful ministers in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
The EFCC accused him of using his position to grant undue advantage to a company linked to his daughter and son-in-law.
The three pleaded not guilty and were released on bail.
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