National Crime Agency seizes home of former Lord Mayor of Leeds after court judgement
The house in Alwoodley previously belonged to a businessman suspected of money laundering
Last updated 5th Mar 2026
The National Crime Agency has seized a home previously belonging to the former Lord Mayor of Leeds, after a court case centred on a businessman suspected of money laundering.
Former Labour councillor Abigail Katung served in the ceremonial role between 2024 and 2025, becoming the first black woman to do so.
She'd agreed to buy the home in Alwoodley in 2015, paying around £400,000 of the £1m asking price to its former owner.
There's no suggestion that Mrs Katung knew of the allegations against the businessman who owned the property and she has previously denied wrongdoing.
The source of her funds to buy the property remains unclear, with the vast majority of the cash used in the purchase coming via transfers from Nigeria.
In 2025 the High Court ruled the former Lord Mayor had "no legitimate interest in or right to the property", as it had been legally transferred to the NCA in 2020.
An appeal against the judgement was unsuccessful and police were able to secure access to the property today.
Rob Burgess, Head of Asset Denial at the NCA, said:
"The NCA uses both civil and criminal powers to investigate the provenance of assets in the UK believed to have been acquired using the proceeds of crime.
"This matter has taken a considerable amount of time to litigate – at the tax payer's expense. Now that the NCA has gained possession of the property, it will be sold, with the proceeds being returned to the public purse."