A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of assets worth ₦246.3 million linked to Major-General U.M. Mohammed (Retd.), the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the funds and shares said to have been acquired through fraudulent means.
According to the EFCC, the assets were purchased by the retired military officer as a way to hide proceeds from unlawful activities while he headed the Army’s real estate company between 2015 and 2020.
The case began when NAPL petitioned the EFCC, accusing Major-General Mohammed and two others — Yusuf Abdullahi Abubakar and Kayode Oladipupo Filani — of involvement in a large-scale fraud during Mohammed’s tenure as Managing Director.
Following the petition, investigations were launched by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate. According to a sworn affidavit by Nwike Fortune, one of the agency’s investigators, the probe revealed that Mohammed had fraudulently sold several company properties and diverted the proceeds for personal use.
In an effort to disguise the source of the stolen funds, he reportedly used the money to buy shares in several well-known Nigerian companies through a firm known as Awhua Resources Limited.
The EFCC listed the companies in which the former general invested the misappropriated funds:
-National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) – ₦115,567,906
-Vitafoam Nigeria Plc – ₦81,901,651
-University Press Plc – ₦40,155,291
-Oando Plc – ₦2,000,000
-Dangote Sugar Refinery – ₦1,000,000
These investments were reportedly made using funds diverted from Army-owned properties meant for public service and military use.
Earlier, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke had granted an interim forfeiture order and directed that the assets in question be published in a national newspaper. This was to give any interested parties the opportunity to contest the forfeiture.
However, with no credible objections raised and strong evidence presented by the EFCC, the case was brought before Justice Dipeolu for a final ruling.
The EFCC’s counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, argued that the shares were proceeds of crime and should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
“It is in the interest of justice to finally forfeit the said shares… as they were acquired with funds that are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” the agency said in court filings.
Justice Dipeolu, after reviewing the submissions and evidence, agreed with the EFCC and ordered the final forfeiture of the funds and shares to the Nigerian government.
The court’s decision marks a major victory for the EFCC in its ongoing efforts to recover stolen public assets, especially from individuals who held high-ranking positions in government and the military.
The case has also highlighted long-standing concerns about corruption in Nigeria’s armed forces, especially in agencies managing military infrastructure, contracts, and property.
Though Major-General Mohammed has yet to face criminal prosecution, the forfeiture of these assets could pave the way for further legal action if the EFCC decides to pursue charges.
In recent years, the EFCC has intensified efforts to trace and recover funds illegally obtained by public officials. From politicians to military officers, the agency has successfully secured multiple court orders for the forfeiture of cash, real estate, luxury cars, and company shares.
This latest case adds to the growing list of high-profile individuals facing asset seizure due to corruption-related investigations.
The EFCC has also called on whistleblowers, government agencies, and members of the public to report suspicious activities involving public funds.
