The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the temporary seizure of several properties connected to two former finance directors of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Suleiman Bulkwang and Abdullahi Sambo.
This order came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested the court to take action against assets believed to be linked to illegal activities.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the request without the presence of the accused and set the next hearing for July 7 to review progress on the case.
The properties under temporary seizure include a one-hectare plot in Ungwan Rere, Lafia, Nasarawa State, linked to Sambo, and four two-bedroom flats in Kubwa, Abuja, connected to Bulkwang.
The case involves a probe into allegations that REA officials misused about N1.4 billion. Sambo is accused of receiving approximately N742 million, which he allegedly used to acquire the land in Nasarawa.
According to the EFCC, between March and June 2023, Sambo instructed some staff members to carry out unauthorized payments totaling over N1.4 billion through the government’s financial system.
These payments were allegedly made without proper approval or audit processes.
The EFCC explained that the funds were transferred into the accounts of seven REA employees, including Sambo and his personal assistant.
After receiving the funds, the money was further distributed to various individuals, including Bureau De Change operators and senior agency staff, with Sambo personally benefiting a large sum used to buy properties through an associate.
Both Bulkwang and Sambo have shown willingness to forfeit assets linked to these alleged unlawful gains.
This legal process is not tied to a criminal conviction but is aimed at recovering assets suspected to come from illegal actions.
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