EFCC moves to auction seized property nationwide

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has concluded plans to conduct sale of properties which it seized from elements convicted for economic and financial crimes against the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The properties to be auctioned are those that have already received final forfeiture orders from the relevant court of law and can no longer be challenged.

The Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement made available to Vanguard on Thursday, that the property to be auctioned consist of 61 units of luxury apartments, plots of lands and apartments across the country, which are to be sold in accordance with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.

The statement listed the distribution of the properties as: 24 units of luxurious block of flats at Banana Island, Lagos; 21 units of luxury terrace and block of flats at Thornburn, Yaba, Lagos and 16 units of 4 bedrooms terrace duplex at Heritage Court Estate, Port Harcourt.

Others are: Apartments and plots of land in Lagos State; apartments and plots of land within Abuja Metropolis, plots of land and apartment in Anambra, Ebonyi and Gombe states; apartments and plots of land in Kaduna, Delta and Edo states; hotel, plaza and apartments in Kwara State and apartments and plots of land in Cross River, Osun and Oyo states.

The statement further adds: “The auction is open to members of the public with the exception of individuals / corporate entities who have been / or are being prosecuted by the EFCC; Directors of such companies and employees of the EFCC.

“A competitive bidding process is being adopted for the disposal of the properties. The bid forms which can be downloaded from the EFCC website www.efcc.gov.ng must be submitted alongside 10% of the bid amount in Certified Bank Drafts payable to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. If the sum exceeds N10 million, multiple Certified Bank Drafts must be provided; drafts of unsuccessful bidders will be returned once the bidding process is concluded.

“A successful bidder will be required to pay the 90% outstanding balance of the bid price within 15 working days of the bid submission deadline, failing which the 10% deposit becomes non-refundable and the properties can be offered to other buyers. Payments shall be made to EFCC through the Remita platform.

“Individuals occupying any of the properties listed may be given the Right of First Refusal provided they have a valid tenancy agreement; have paid rent up to date and must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) Form which can be downloaded from the EFCC website: www.efcc.gov.ng

“Bids for properties must be sealed and submitted in the designated box at the following address: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Plot 301/302 Institutions and Research District, Jabi, Abuja. The deadline for the submission of all bids is 12:00 noon Monday, 9th January, 2023

“All bidders and/or their representatives are welcome to be present at the bid opening which will take place at the Convocation Ground, National Open University of Nigeria, opposite Economic and Financial Crimes Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja from Monday, 9th January, 2023 to Friday, 13th January, 2023.

“The highest bid for each property will emerge the winner subject to the highest bid being equal to or above the reserve price.

“In the event of a tied bid at the bid opening or where none of the bids match or exceed the reserve price, bidders will be required to submit fresh bids at the opening. The outcome of the fresh bid submissions will be announced at the bid opening.

It will be recalled that EFCC had on Saturday December 24, 2022 publicly announced the commencement of the auction exercise with advertorial in major newspapers inviting bids for the properties. According to the Commission, interested persons or organizations have until 12:00 noon Monday, 9th January, 2023 to submit their bids.