Reps order EFCC to dispose off seized, forfeited properties

The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Abandoned Properties, on Thursday, directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence the process of disposing of all seized and forfeited properties rather than leave them to deteriorate.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon Ademorin Kuye, gave the directive at the resumed investigative hearing on an abandoned property in the country also summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to appear before the committee over the transfer of seized assets

The Committee also frowned over the Commission’s decision to transfer some of the seized properties to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice without following due process, describing the action as unacceptable

The Committee expressed concern over keeping the properties for a long time saying that they would keep losing value and deteriorating, adding that such would not augur well for the country.

The Chairman of the Committee reminded the commission that the Federal Government has said that part of the 2021 budget would be financed from sales of properties, adding that if these properties were kept without selling them, it would affect the budget.

Kuye said the EFCC should ensure diligent prosecution of all cases regarding seized properties before offering them for sale, and questioned the conditional right and purpose of transferring some assets to the Attorney General of the Federation.

Kuye disclosed that the AGF was also invited to appear before the committee but failed, adding that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had also been summoned to answer questions.

The committee was dissatisfied with the documents tendered before it by EFCC’s Acting Director of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management, Aliyu Yusuf, and gave him two weeks to come with other supporting documents but was turned down by the committee.

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Reps order EFCC

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