Court Orders Forfeiture of Five Properties in Lagos Linked to Former NAPL MD.

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

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

The EFCC informed the court that investigations revealed the properties were fraudulently misappropriated, and the proceeds from their sale were diverted for personal use.

In his application for the final forfeiture, Mohammed stated that the Commission had complied with the court’s order regarding publication. He argued that it would serve the interest of justice to grant the prayers sought and order the final forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.

After considering the EFCC counsel’s submissions, the judge ordered the final forfeiture of the five properties to the Federal Government.

According to the EFCC, the properties 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.

On March 4, 2024, the judge had ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties, which were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, and directed the publication of the order in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.