General challenges EFCC over forfeiture of N5bn shares

A former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Maj. Gen. U.M. Mohammed (retd), has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to overturn the final forfeiture of 246,305,544 shares valued at about N5bn, recently granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had secured the order on August 26, 2025, alleging that the shares—spread across Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Conoil Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Eterna Plc, Flour Mills Plc, Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Oando Plc, University Press Plc, and Vitafoam Nigeria Plc—were bought with funds diverted from fraudulent sales of NAPL properties during Mohammed’s tenure.

But Mohammed, in a motion on notice, argued that the investments were legitimately acquired long before he assumed office at NAPL in October 2015.

His supporting affidavit, deposed by Joseph Effiong, stated that the shares were purchased between September 2007 and September 2015, predating his posting to the company.

“The shares listed in the schedules do not represent proceeds of any crime or unlawful activities,” Effiong said, attaching Mohammed’s posting history as evidence.

The retired general also faulted the procedure that led to the forfeiture order, insisting that his affidavit to show cause—filed on July 29—was ignored. He alleged he was denied fair hearing after the case, originally adjourned to October 8, was reassigned to a vacation judge without notifying him or his counsel.

Mohammed further argued that the EFCC failed to comply with statutory timelines by not filing for a final forfeiture order within 60 days of the interim order issued on May 7, 2025, as required under the Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.

He is now asking the court to set aside the proceedings in Suit No: FHC/L/MISC/404/2025 and nullify the forfeiture order.

The court has yet to schedule a hearing on his application.