News
Why we withheld owner of seized 753-duplex Abuja estate’s identity — EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has defended its decision to withhold the identity of the owner of a recently recovered estate, which it described as the largest single asset recovery in its history.
The EFCC had on Monday announced the recovery of 753 duplexes and other apartments on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
The commission, however, faced criticism from many Nigerians for not disclosing the identity of the owner of the asset.
Among the critics is the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, who accused the EFCC of being afraid of confronting “big thieves.”
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency stated that its actions were guided by the legal framework governing forfeiture proceedings and a commitment to professionalism.
Oyewale explained that the forfeiture of the estate followed civil proceedings under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act. This legal provision allows for action-in-rem—a process targeting property rather than individuals—particularly in cases of 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.
“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 who is not a juristic person. This is exactly what the Commission did in respect of the Estate. Individual in situations of unclaimed assets.”
Oyewale disclosed that actionable intelligence led to investigations into the estate.
During the process, he said a company initially flagged as the likely owner denied any links to the property after public notices were published 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,” he added.
Despite securing the court order, Oyewale noted that its criminal investigation into the matter remains ongoing, stating that revealing the names of individuals without direct evidence connecting them to the property’s title documents would be premature and unprofessional.
“The substantive criminal investigation on the matter 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,” Oyewale stated.
The commission reiterated its commitment to impartiality and its “no sacred cow” policy, assuring the public that it remains steadfast in its mission to fight corruption.
“We are unwavering in our approach to every matter, and together we will make Nigeria greater,” he said.
News
Mercy Chinwo’s ex-manager denies diverting $345,000, says Chinwo received $625,000 and now trying to claim ownership of catalog he fully funded
Mercy Chinwo’s former manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, has denied allegations of diverting $345,000 in funds, responding to claims made by the gospel artist’s camp.
In a series of social media posts, the manager called out Chinwo for attempting to claim ownership of a catalog that he allegedly funded fully.
According to the manager, he has sent up to $625,000 to Chinwo, despite the singer’s claims of unfair treatment.
In his post, the manager explained that, under a 50/50 earnings agreement with Chinwo, he was entitled to both royalties and remittances from their business dealings.
However, he accused Chinwo of using law enforcement and religious affiliations to manipulate the situation.
The former manager further claimed that he had invested a significant amount of time, money, and efforts into building Chinwo’s platform, providing financial support, and even securing housing for her before her success.
He also detailed his legal struggles, including an incident where he was allegedly extorted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while being detained for nine days.
In his final remarks, the former manager invited Chinwo to post her bank statements and songs recorded three years before her signing as further evidence.
See his posts below………
Tragedy struck in the Amai community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, as a 70-year-old man, Mr Aghanti, and his 50-year-old daughter, Mrs Atagoshi, were reportedly beheaded over a land dispute.
The gruesome incident occurred after the suspect allegedly lured the victims into the bush under the pretext of discussing the land issue.
Their headless bodies were later discovered in the bush.
Reports said the woman, a secondary school teacher, had earlier purchased a piece of land in the community, which some individuals subsequently claimed.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bright Edafe, revealed that the assailant invited the victims to the bush, where the heinous crime was committed.
Edafe said, “The suspect called the woman, saying he wanted to discuss the land issue. He then took her and her father into the bush, killed them, and beheaded them.
“On the same day, vigilantes apprehended one Emeke with two human heads. He was mobbed and set ablaze by angry residents. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the human heads belonged to the father and daughter.
“Their headless bodies were found in the bush.”
Edafe added that the main suspect is currently on the run, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.
No fewer than 50 persons lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday.
The incident happened on the Dikko-Maje road opposite Badeggi fuelling station in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger.
Federal Road Safety Commander (FRSC) in Niger State, Mr Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.
He said a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident with people scooping the spilling fuel, unaware of the impending danger.
Tsukwam said those who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.
He said more than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Tsukwam, however, gave an assurance that personnel of the corps and other sister agencies were on ground for the rescue mission.
Tsukwam confirmed that his men were on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped.
Similarly, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said the explosion occurred at about 9.am on Saturday.
He said the incident happened when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
In the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used to effect the transfer, triggering an explosion that claimed more than 50 lives.
He added that many other persons were injured, while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Baba-Arah said NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Suleja LGA Emergency Committee and volunteers, were carrying out search, rescue and recovery operations.
He said the injured have been moved to the hospital for treatment while efforts eere being made to recover the corpses of the deceased.
NAN reports that more details are expected as the response operation is still ongoing.
He urged residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to mitigate the effects of the disaster.
Mercy Chinwo’s ex-manager denies diverting $345,000, says Chinwo received $625,000 and now trying to claim ownership of catalog he fully funded
70-yr-old man, his daughter beheaded over land dispute in Delta
Petrol tanker explosion claims 50 lives in Niger
-
Retired AIG Hakeem OdumosuRetired AIG Hakeem OdumosuUncategorized1 day agoBREAKING: Retired AIG’s wife kidnapped from her residence
-
News2 days ago
Anambra govt shuts brothel, evacuates 10 sex workers
-
Deceased Tartor AyiheDeceased Tartor AyiheUncategorized2 days ago
Man kills self after selling one land to three different buyers
-
The two judges killed in Iran on SaturdayThe two judges killed in Iran on SaturdayInternational8 hours ago
Two Supreme Court judges shot dead, gunman kills self
-
News3 days ago
Reps dep chief whip Adewunmi Onanuga is dead
-
Uncategorized2 days ago
Enugu on the right path of investment under Mbah – Budget Minister, Bagudu
-
News3 days ago
Nigerian woman killed by starving dogs in Italy
-
News1 day ago
Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra
