The inter-ministerial committee on the disposal of assets
forfeited to the federal government, has commenced the process of selling final
forfeited assets in 25 locations across the country.
Dayo Apata, chairman of the committee, made this known on
Tuesday at a press conference.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on November 9, inaugurated
the committee following a presidential directive of October 27, recognising the
need for the office of the attorney-general of the federation to coordinate and
oversee a uniform process or common platform for the recovery, management and
sale of all assets forfeited to the federal government.
Apata said the assets recovery and disposal process are part
of the administration of criminal justice.
He said the committee comprised of representatives from the
presidency, police, navy, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as
well as ministries of finance, justice, works and housing, among others, is
working towards completing its assignment within six months.
Some of the assets to be sold include landed properties,
plants, machinery, motor vehicles, jewelry, etc.
“It needs to be emphasized that asset recovery and disposal
constitutes an integral part of the administration of criminal justice which
are all within the purview of the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation,” he
said
“The Committee is
working assiduously to complete its assignment within the six (6) months’ time
frame as spelt out in the presidential directive and is guided by the Asset
Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations, 2019, Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) and its Terms of Reference (TOR).
“The composition of the Committee reflects a fair spread
across relevant MDAs. It is interesting to note that the composition of the
Committee cuts across institutions not only involved in the asset recovery but
also institutions with special skills, competences and oversight of security
over the assets.”
He said the committee seeks to put an end to poor management
and wastage of assets which prevents government from realizing the full
benefits of the forfeiture.
The chairman added that the committee made publications in
the federal tenders journal and two (2) national newspapers (ThisDay and the
Daily Trust) on February 1 to kick-start the disposal process.
“Please note that the Committee intends to engage valuers
and auctioneers as part of the process in the disposal of assets forfeited to
the Federal Government and the list of assets will be published accordingly.
Interested persons/firms are encouraged to look out for the publication and
make submissions in the required format and within the specified timelines,” he
said.
“Since inauguration, the committee has held several meetings
and consultations and has worked assiduously to develop its work plan,
templates, strategies and modalities, in line with relevant Laws and
Regulations, to aid it in the discharge of its mandate within the set time
limit.
“The Committee holds sacred the twin features of
transparency and accountability paramount in the discharge of this monumental
national assignment of disposing assets forfeited to the government.
Accordingly, members have executed Declaration of Conflict of Interest and
Non-Disclosure Forms. This is the first time in Nigeria.”
Although the statement was silent on the particular assets,
EFCC had in the past secured court approval for final forfeiture of some
assets.
In 2019, a federal high court in Lagos ordered the permanent
forfeiture of $40 million worth of jewellery seized from the residence of
Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former minister of petroleum resources.
In the same year, a court ordered the permanent seizure of
$8.4 million (about N3billion) and N9.2 billion, belonging to Patience
Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A final forfeiture of Dews of Hope Hospital, Owerri, a N1.5
billion state-of-the-art 200-bed hospital, allegedly linked to an aide of
Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo state and serving senator, was
granted.
After the press briefing, the inter-ministerial committee
visited four locations including a house at 14 Adzope Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja,
a property recovered from Alex Badeh, a former chief of air staff and later
chief of defence staff.
Other locations visited by the committee include EFCC’s
vehicle dump site near the National Mosque; The Platinum Residence Exquisite
Luxury Accommodation, located in AMSSCO Platinum City, Galadimawa; and a house
located at 6 Ethiope Close Maitama.
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