The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release 27 houses that were wrongfully seized by the commission.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025 filed by the EFCC.
According to reports that the EFCC had, on March 13, obtained an ex parte interim forfeiture order against the 27 properties, which it said were acquired from proceeds of unlawful acts.
Following its publication of the interim forfeiture order in a national daily on April 4, as ordered by the court, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, approached the court.
Okwete and his company claimed ownership of the 26 properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo showed interest in House No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Okwete, Jamec Ltd and Oladapo objected to EFCC’s subsequent application for final forfeiture of the assets.
Meanwhile, Justice Abdulmalik, in a judgment on Oct. 31, upheld the objection, dismissed EFCC’s application for final forfeiture and vacated the earlier order for interim forfeiture.
The judge consequently ordered the commission to immediately release the property.
Justice Abdulmalik, while delivering the judgment, said, based on her analysis of the evidence presented before the court, “I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.
However, lawyer to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry, SAN, has written to the Chairman of the EFCC complaining about the commission’s alleged failure to comply with the judgment.
The lawyer, in a letter dated Nov. 27, urged the commission to immediately comply with the court order.
About the Author
