The five agencies are expected to appear before the House Sub-Committee on Public Assets on November 2, 2026, as part of an investigation aimed at auditing recovered assets, establishing a central digital registry and strengthening transparency and accountability in their management.
Chairman of the sub-committee, Rep. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, who represents Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, announced the date at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja.
Osonwa described the assignment as a significant national responsibility, noting that the handling, disposal and utilisation of assets recovered through law enforcement operations and other statutory processes had remained subjects of public concern across successive administrations.
He said persistent questions about transparency, inter-agency cooperation and the final disposition of recovered properties had made a comprehensive review of existing practices necessary.
“Across various administrations, questions have persisted regarding transparency, coordination, and the integrity of processes governing assets seized or forfeited through anti-corruption efforts, criminal justice actions, and administrative enforcement,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that the concerns went beyond administrative shortcomings, arguing that the proper management of recovered assets was essential to public confidence, institutional credibility and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
“These concerns are not merely technical—they strike at the heart of public trust, institutional credibility, and the effectiveness of Nigeria’s anti-corruption architecture,” he added.
According to Osonwa, the sub-committee is expected to conduct a comprehensive audit to establish an accurate and verifiable record of all seized, forfeited and recovered assets held or managed by relevant government institutions.
He said the exercise would establish the status of the assets and provide clearer information on their custody, management and eventual use or disposal.
The committee also plans to develop a unified digital registry to centralise records, facilitate information-sharing among government agencies and address inconsistencies and duplication in existing documentation.
Osonwa explained that the proposed registry would enable relevant authorities to track recovered properties from the point of seizure or forfeiture through custody and management to disposal or transfer for public use.
He added that the sub-committee would review existing accountability structures and propose reforms to bring asset management practices in line with applicable laws and international best practices.
The recommendations, he said, would address weaknesses in the current system, close loopholes that could undermine transparency and ensure that institutions entrusted with recovered assets meet appropriate accountability standards.
“The sub-committee has the opportunity to recommend reforms that will close long-standing loopholes, modernise asset management systems, and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship,” Rep. Osonwa said.
He maintained that the broader objective was to ensure that assets recovered through lawful processes were properly managed and used to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
“Our work can help ensure that recovered assets truly serve the public interest—whether through restitution, reinvestment, or national development priorities,” he added.
The November 2 appearance date was fixed following a motion moved by Rep. Omosede Igbinedion and supported by other members of the sub-committee.
“Motion has been moved and motion has been supported, so we expect all these agencies: Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Police and NMDPRA, and see them here on the 2nd of November,” the chairman said.
The agencies are expected to provide information on their respective roles in the seizure, recovery, custody and management of assets, including the procedures they use to document and account for such properties.
Osonwa urged members of the sub-committee to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, objectivity and a strong sense of national duty.
He expressed optimism that the committee’s work, supported by the cooperation of relevant government institutions, would produce practical recommendations to improve transparency, strengthen coordination among agencies and promote responsible management of recovered assets across the country.
