Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced its largest asset seizure to date, confiscating more than 750 properties in the capital, Abuja, as part of an anti-corruption investigation.
The seized estate, covering approximately 150,000 square meters in the Lokogoma area, is believed to have been developed with proceeds from corruption. While the EFCC has not disclosed the identities of those involved, the properties are reportedly linked to a former senior government official.
In a statement, the EFCC emphasized its commitment to ensuring that “the corrupt and fraudulent do not enjoy the proceeds of their unlawful activities.”
Local property experts estimate the value of the confiscated assets to be in the tens of millions of dollars. For years, residents and passersby speculated about the ownership of the lavish estate.
Corruption has long plagued Nigeria, despite repeated promises from successive administrations to tackle the issue. As one of Africa’s largest oil producers, the country struggles with the stark contrast between its vast resources and widespread poverty among its over 225 million citizens.
The EFCC, established in 2003 to combat corruption, continues to handle high-profile cases. In May, former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, alongside his daughter and son-in-law, was charged with corruption. Sirika, a key figure in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, allegedly misused his position to favor a company tied to his family. The accused denied the charges and were released on bail.
With multiple corruption cases still before the courts, the EFCC’s recent action underscores the ongoing fight to curb financial crimes in the nation.
