N70m Abuja Property Dispute Deepens as EFCC, Cleric Clash in Court

Dada Ahmed, Editor The Reporters.
A legal battle over the ownership of a forfeited N70 million property in Abuja took a dramatic turn on Wednesday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and an Islamic cleric, Mr Nuhu Muhammed, presented sharply conflicting claims before the Federal High Court.

The dispute, which centres on a property located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, has drawn attention due to its complex mix of alleged financial misconduct, religious obligations, and questions of due process.

Presiding over the matter, Justice James Omotosho adjourned proceedings until May 28 for ruling after hearing arguments from both sides.

The Counsel to the EFCC, Martha Babatunde, urged the court to dismiss an application filed by Muhammed seeking to overturn the final forfeiture order granted on Feb. 18.

She maintained that due legal procedures were strictly followed before the court ordered the property forfeited to the Federal Government.

According to Babatunde, the court had earlier issued an interim forfeiture order on Jan. 13, which was subsequently published in a national newspaper on Jan. 23, inviting any interested parties to contest the action.

She noted that no objection was filed within the stipulated period, paving the way for the final forfeiture.

Describing the cleric’s application as lacking merit, the EFCC counsel argued that the property,comprising a four-bedroom detached bungalow with a penthouse and boys’ quarters,was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

However, Muhammed’s lawyer, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, strongly contested the commission’s position, insisting that his client is the legitimate owner of the property.

He argued that Muhammed’s right to fair hearing was violated, alleging procedural irregularities, misrepresentation of facts, and concealment of material information by the EFCC.
An investigator, Alozie Andrew, claimed that N70 million,described as a kickback,was funneled through a consultant and ultimately used to acquire the property from EFAB Properties Ltd.

Muhammed, through his lawyer, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, insisted that the Gwarimpa property was rightfully his.

He argued that the house was a fulfillment of a long-standing spiritual debt paid not in cash, but in bricks and mortar.

But the EFCC, represented by Martha Babatunde, painted a starkly different picture,one of alleged corruption hidden behind a veil of generosity.

The agency maintained that the property, located in Gwarimpa, was not a sacred gift but a calculated purchase funded by proceeds of unlawful activity.

Enahoro-Ebah further urged the court to not only set aside the forfeiture order but also compel the commission to return all documents seized from his client in connection with the property.

From correspondent in Abuja.