FG Offers Forfeited Properties For Sale, To Ensure Transparent Process

The federal government has said it will dispose certain assets forfeited to it as proceeds of crimes during criminal prosecution of some Nigerians in court.

It listed the forfeited assets to be sold or disposed as : landed properties, plants, machinery, motor vehicles, electronics, furniture, equipment, water vessels (canoe, boats, barges, ship), jewelry, ornaments and clothing materials.

The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, Dayo Apata SAN disclosed this on Tuesday, adding that “the committee is expected to carry out the disposal of the final forfeited assets…”

Apata, who is also the Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Disposal of Assets Forfeited to the federal government, said that the federal government believes that a uniform oversight, coordination, and sale of forfeited assets would avoid loss or wastage of the said assets and would ultimately be of interest to the public.

Apata also said that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, was bent on implementing the anti-corruption drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, hence, the consistent pursuit in the prosecution of criminal matters.

“It needs to be emphasized that asset recovery and disposal constitutes an integral part of the administration of criminal justice which are all within the purview of the Hon. Attorney-General of the federation.

“The committee remains highly committed to ensure a radical departure from the past by ensuring that government receives adequate value for forfeited assets and also to ensure that the assets are neither misappropriated nor mismanaged but are dealt with for public good,” he said.

Recall that Malami had inaugurated the committee on November 9, 2020, mandating them to deliver within six months.

Also, the AGF coordinates the management of criminal prosecutions, on behalf of the federal government.