By Peter Omopo
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 a final forfeiture order granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over shares worth about N5 billion.
The EFCC had secured the order on August 26, 2025, alleging that the 246,305,544 shares were acquired with proceeds from fraudulent sales of NAPL properties during Mohammed’s tenure. The investments span major companies including Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Flour Mills Plc, Oando Plc, and Vitafoam Nigeria Plc.
But in a motion on notice filed in court, Mohammed insisted the shares were legitimately purchased between 2007 and 2015—years before his appointment as NAPL boss in October 2015.
An affidavit deposed by Joseph Effiong stated: “The shares listed in the schedules do not represent proceeds of any crime or unlawful activities. They were acquired long before his posting to NAPL.”
The retired general is also contesting the forfeiture on procedural grounds. He alleged that his affidavit to show cause, filed on July 29, was ignored and that the case, originally adjourned to October 8, was hurriedly brought before a vacation judge without notice to him or his counsel.
He further argued that the EFCC failed to comply with statutory timelines, claiming the agency neglected to file its application for final forfeiture within 60 days of the interim order granted on May 7, 2025, as required by the Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.
“The non-service of hearing notice amounts to a denial of my constitutional right to fair hearing,” Mohammed contended.
He is now seeking an order to set aside the proceedings in Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/404/2025 and nullify the forfeiture. The court has yet to fix a date for hearing the application.
