By 
Habeeb Ibrahim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) handed over 14 properties forfeited to the Federal Government to the Enugu State Government on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
According to the commission on its X social media platform, the properties were officially transferred to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, by EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.
Olukoyede explained that the road to forfeiture began in 2007 and highlighted the mutually beneficial relationship between the federal government and states.
“What we are witnessing today testifies to a symbiotic relationship that should exist between the federal government and state governments. The essence of our meeting here today is for us to hand over properties that were forfeited to the federal government, which of course belong to Enugu State people, back to the people.” He stated.
The EFCC chairman further explained that the properties were initially forfeited to the federal government and had been managed by the Commission since then.
“If you look at the history of this particular matter, it takes us back to 2007 when we started the prosecution. So we are looking at about 17 years since the matter has been on. Eventually, some of the properties were forfeited, and since then, the EFCC has been managing those properties, even though the titles of quite a number of the properties have been revoked by the Enugu State government.” He said.
Governor Mbah expressed gratitude for the handover and thanked the EFCC chair and the Commission for ensuring that the people of Enugu State reclaimed their common patrimony.
“I would like to express my profound gratitude for the event we are witnessing today. The importance and significance of this event can never be lost on us, and we do not also take it for granted.” He said.
The governor acknowledged that the properties were forfeited to the federal government and thanked President Bola Tinubu for making it possible for them to be returned to the government and people of Enugu State.
He said, “Those assets were forfeited to the federal government. And this brings me to another gratitude that I want to convey here today. I want to acknowledge and recognize the important role played by the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Governor Mbah commended Olukoyede’s initiatives in strengthening the EFCC and cautioned against attempts to distract the Commission.
He said, “I will not end this remark without acknowledging the work the EFCC chairman is doing in strengthening this very important institution. It is important that we do not weaken our institutions. Whatever we do in governance is transient.”
The properties handed over comprise houses, transmission equipment for radio and television stations, a building for medical operations, among others.
