Court Orders Army General to Forfeit Ikoyi, Apapa Mansions

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ruled that five properties linked to Major-General Umaru Mohammed, former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), be forfeited to the federal government.

Justice Chukujekwu Aneke delivered the final forfeiture order on Wednesday, following a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, A.O. Mohammed.

The properties in question include No. 8b, Bedwell Road, Ikoyi; No. 3, Force Road, Ikoyi; No. 14, Glover Road, Ikoyi; No. 6, Marina, Ikoyi; and No. 28, Point Road, Apapa. The court found these properties were fraudulently acquired, with proceeds from their sale diverted for personal use.

The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the properties were the result of unlawful activities by the former Army General. The agency asserted that Major-General Mohammed misappropriated funds, using them for his own benefit.

Previously, Justice Aneke had issued an interim forfeiture order on March 4, mandating that the order be published in a national newspaper. This allowed any interested parties to contest the permanent forfeiture.

On Wednesday, the EFCC’s lawyer presented the final forfeiture application, confirming the commission’s compliance with the court’s publication order. “It will be in the interest of justice for the court to grant the prayers being sought and also order the final forfeiture of the property to the federal government,” A.O. Mohammed stated.

After considering the arguments, Justice Aneke ruled in favor of the EFCC, ordering the final forfeiture of the properties to the federal government.