The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, concluded the transfer of 14 properties, previously forfeited to the Federal Government, to the custody of the government and people of Enugu State.
The formal handover ceremony, officiated by the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, took place at the Commission’s corporate headquarters. Mr. Olukoyede emphasized the enduring partnership between the federal and state governments, citing this transfer as a tangible example of collaborative governance. He underscored the significance of the occasion in demonstrating effective governance and the restitution of assets to benefit the citizens of Nigeria.
Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State expressed profound gratitude for the handover, recognizing it as the culmination of a lengthy legal process that began in 2007. He extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the return of these assets to the state, highlighting the importance of proactive leadership in governance.
Governor Mba commended the efforts of Mr. Olukoyede in fortifying the EFCC as a pillar of accountability and integrity in Nigeria’s institutional framework. He cautioned against undermining such institutions, emphasizing their enduring importance beyond transient political administrations.
The forfeited properties, which include residential houses, broadcasting equipment, and medical facilities, were recovered from entities associated with former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. Justice Mohammed Yinusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in a judgment dated July 8, 2015, convicted four companies linked to Nnamani and ordered the forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government. These companies, namely Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, and Renaissance University Teaching Hospital, had pleaded guilty to charges brought against them by the EFCC on May 19, 2015.
