Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return 27 houses that were wrongly seized. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik made this ruling while delivering judgment in a case filed by the EFCC, with the reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025.
The EFCC had previously obtained an interim order on March 13 to seize these properties, claiming they were purchased with money from illegal activities. After the court ordered the publication of this notice in The Punch newspaper on April 4, two parties—James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited—claimed ownership of 26 of the houses.
Another person, Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo, also expressed interest in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja. Okwete, Jamec Ltd, and Oladapo all objected to the EFCC’s request to permanently seize the properties.
On October 31, Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favor of the owners, dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, and canceled the earlier interim order. She ordered that the properties and their documents be immediately returned to the rightful owners, including Oladapo, who was interested in House No: 12 Fandriana Close.
The judge explained that her review of the evidence showed the owners' affidavits to prove their claims were valid. She also noted that the EFCC had no objection to Oladapo’s affidavit and that the original forfeiture order should be completely canceled.
Furthermore, Justice Abdulmalik declared that the EFCC’s motion for final forfeiture was now unnecessary and without basis.
After the ruling, Okwete’s lawyer, Serekowei Larry (SAN), wrote to the EFCC Chairman, criticizing the commission for not following the court’s order and urging them to comply immediately with the court’s decision.
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