The solicitor general of the federation and chairman of the inter-ministerial committee on disposal of federal government forfeited assets, Mr. Dayo Apata said yesterday that the commission had commenced the process of selling seized assets in 25 locations across the country.
The assets, including vehicles, boats, ships, plants and machinery as well as electronics and furniture, were either recovered or forfeited by suspects facing corruption charges.
Apata told journalists in Abuja that the committee had collated all forfeited assets and was updating the outcome to the federal government.
He called on interested persons and/or firms to look out for its publication and “make submissions in the required format and within the specified timelines.”
The solicitor general who declined to give information on the location of the assets however said the commission would embark on an on-site verification and auditing of the assets to confirm their existence and current state.
He said the forfeited assets include landed property, plants, machinery, vehicles, electronics, furniture, water vessels, jewelries, ornaments and clothing materials, stressing that assets being disposed were those already fortified to government.
“We are still receiving details and assets from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Navy and other government agencies.
“We are still collating the assets and those that have been finally fortified will be disposed off so that we don’t infringe on rights of individuals who have gone to court contesting the confiscation of their assets,” he stated.
He said the panel would engage valuers and auctioneers in the disposal process, adding that the list of assets would also be published in national dailies accordingly.
“Interested persons and firms are encouraged to look out for the publication and make submissions in the required format and within specified timelines,” he said.
Apata added that the committee would ensure that it completes its assignment within the six-month timeline, as spelt out in the presidential directive, adding that it would ensure government receives adequate value for forfeited assets while ensuring that assets are not misappropriated nor mismanaged.
He also said the committee had completed the conflict of interest and non-disclosure forms as well as adopted a communication and media strategy to keep the public abreast of its activities.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the committee in October 2018 following recommendations of the presidential audit committee on recovery and management of stolen assets and the need for their efficient management.
Members of the committee include the representatives of the office of the chief of staff to the president, ministries of justice, finance, works and housing, auditor-general of the federation, EFCC and ICPC.
Others are, representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spillage, Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and civil society organisations.
