Sowore slams EFCC over secrecy on owner of 753 duplexes

Activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for concealing the identity of a former government official alleged to own 753 forfeited duplexes in Abuja.

The anti-corruption agency had on Monday disclosed that Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the forfeiture of an estate comprising 753 duplexes and other apartments on a 150,500-square-metre plot in the Lokogoma District of Abuja.

According to the EFCC, the property represents the largest single asset recovery since the agency’s establishment in 2003. However, it refrained from naming the alleged former government official who owned the estate located on Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09.

Reacting on his Facebook page, Sowore lambasted the EFCC for withholding the identity of the individual behind the seized estate.

He stated, “What is the name of the ‘former top brass’ with 753 duplexes seized by the EFCC in Abuja?

“The @officialEFCC is now doing PR for thieves. They seized this large estate with 753 duplexes from a single individual in Abuja but can’t mention his or her name.

“If it is Yahoo boys, they will line laptops and Nokia phones in front of them and send their photos globally even before their trial is commenced. The same EFCC is now AFRAID of BIG Thieves!”

Sowore’s remarks have sparked further debate over the transparency and accountability of the EFCC in handling corruption cases involving prominent individuals.