A legal dispute has emerged as the legal representatives of Major-General U.M. Mohammed (retd.), the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) assertion of the final forfeiture of 246,305,544 shares valued at about N5 billion linked to their client.
The law firm of Olalekan Ojo (SAN) & Co. issued a statement refuting the EFCC's declaration on August 26, 2025, labeling it as 'misleading' and clarifying that the case was still pending before Justice C.J. Aneke, adjourned to October 8, 2025.
According to the legal representatives, the EFCC had filed a motion on April 29, 2025, seeking the final forfeiture of shares allegedly tied to illicit activities related to the former NAPL chief. Justice Aneke had granted an interim forfeiture order on May 7, 2025, and the defence team had submitted an Affidavit to Show Cause by July 29, 2025, contesting the final forfeiture.
The lawyers accused the EFCC of bypassing due process during the court's annual vacation and proceeded to obtain a final forfeiture order without proper notification, prompting them to file a motion on August 29, 2025, to challenge the judgement.
The defence team argued that the shares in question were acquired before Major-General U.M. Mohammed assumed office at NAPL, casting doubt on the link between the shares and their client's tenure. They also referenced a prior suit in Abuja, where a similar case involving the shares was dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution.
Reference from News: EFCC 'Misled' Nigerians On Forfeiture Of N5bn 246m NAPL Shares - Ex-MD's Lawyers