Retired General Seeks Reversal of N5bn Shares Forfeited to EFCC Army Properties Scandal
Major. General U.M. Mohammed (Rtd), a former Managing Director of the of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), has challenged the decision of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that ordered the forfeiture of his 246,305,544 shares valued at N5bn to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The retired Army General is asking the court to completely set aside all the proceedings and decision arising from Suit No: FHC/L/MISC/404/2025 that led to the forfeiture order. He told the court that the entire proceedings lack of fair hearing and therefore should be set aside and the forfeiture order nullified effectively.
The court on August 26, 2025 ordered that the forfeiture of the shares to the EFCC on the grounds that they were acquired with funds siphoned from the fraudulent sale of NAPL properties during the tenure of the Gen. Mohammed as the MD of NAPL.
The shares cut across several blue chip companies including, Oando Plc, Danogote Sugar Refinery Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Conoil Plc, Eterna Plc, Flour Mills Plc, Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, University Press Plc, and Vitafoam Nigeria Plc.
However, in a motion on notice he filed before the court, the retired army officer argued that the shares were legitimately acquired long before assumed office as MD of NAPL in October 2015.
In his supporting affidavit, deposed by his legal representative, Joseph Effiong, the retired officer stated that the shares in contention were acquired between September 2007 and September 2015, predating his posting to the company.
According to the affidavit which also attached the history of postings of the retired general, “The shares listed in the schedules do not represent proceeds of any crime or unlawful activities.”
Gen Mohammed also faulted the procedure that led to the forfeiture order, insisting that his affidavit to show cause—filed on July 29—was ignored. He alleged he was denied fair hearing after the case, originally adjourned to October 8, was reassigned to a vacation judge without notifying him or his counsel.
Mohammed further argued that the EFCC failed to comply with statutory timelines by not filing for a final forfeiture order within 60 days of the interim order issued on May 7, 2025, as required under the Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.
