A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately release 27 houses the agency wrongly confiscated.
The order was issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik while delivering judgment in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, which the EFCC itself had filed.
The anti-graft agency had secured an interim forfeiture order on March 13, claiming the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities. After the order was published on April 4 as instructed, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, declared ownership of 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo claimed House No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.
They all filed objections to the EFCC’s attempt to secure a final forfeiture order. In her judgment of October 31, Justice Abdulmalik upheld their objections, dismissed the EFCC’s bid for final forfeiture, lifted the interim order and directed that the properties be returned without delay.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that Okwete’s affidavit to show cause was convincing and deserved to succeed. She further held that Oladapo’s claim to the Wuse property was valid, especially since the EFCC told the court it had no objection to her affidavit.
She therefore vacated the March 13 forfeiture order, stating that the houses must be released to their rightful owners along with all related documents. She added that the EFCC’s motion for final forfeiture had become irrelevant in light of the court’s findings.
Meanwhile, counsel to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN), has written to the EFCC Chairman, accusing the commission of failing to obey the judgment. In the letter dated November 27, Larry reminded the EFCC that the ruling was delivered in open court on October 31 in the presence of its legal team, led by Maryam Hayatudeen.
