Court orders final forfeiture of five Lagos properties linked to Ex-NAPL MD

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The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a final forfeiture order for five prime properties linked to former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Major-General Umaru Mohammed, to the Federal Government.

Justice Chukujekwu Aneke granted the forfeiture order on Wednesday, following a motion presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, A.O. Mohammed.

The EFCC informed the court that its investigations revealed the properties were unlawfully misappropriated and the proceeds from their sale were diverted for personal gain.

During the proceedings, Mohammed stated that the Commission had complied with the court’s directive regarding public notices and publications.

“It will be in the interest of justice for the court to grant the prayers being sought and also order the final forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government,” he said.

After considering the submissions made by the EFCC’s counsel, the judge issued a final forfeiture order for the five properties to the Federal Government.

These properties identified by the EFCC include: No. 8b, Bedwell Road, Ikoyi; No. 3, Force Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; No. 14, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; No. 6, Marina, Ikoyi, Lagos; and No. 28, Point Road, Apapa, Lagos.

Previously, on March 4, 2024, the judge had granted an interim forfeiture of these properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The court also directed the publication of the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to notify any interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.