Court orders interim forfeiture of assets linked to former Rural Electrification Agency directors

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A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of several properties linked to Suleiman Bulkwang and Abdullahi Sambo, both former directors of the finance and account departments at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, granted the order on Thursday following an ex parte application filed by Martha Babatunde, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Among the seven properties affected by the forfeiture order is a one-hectare plot of land in Ungwan Rere, Lafia LGA of Nasarawa state, linked to Sambo.

Also listed are four units of two-bedroom flats in Kubwa, Abuja, reportedly linked to Bulkwang.

The EFCC is investigating the REA over the alleged misappropriation of N1.4 billion.

According to the commission, Sambo personally benefitted to the tune of N742 million, allegedly used to acquire some of the forfeited assets.

In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/825/2025, the EFCC sought the interim forfeiture on the grounds that the properties are suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.

The commission also requested the court to direct that the interim order be published in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be granted in favour of the federal government.

Supporting affidavits filed by the EFCC alleged that in March 2023, Sambo informed the REA staff members under his department that funds would be transferred to their accounts for a supposed “project supervision and monitoring” exercise.

The staff were allegedly instructed to remit the money after receipt.