Court Victory Boost as Abuja judge orders EFCC to release 27 seized houses after dismissing its forfeiture application

According to a judgment delivered in Abuja, a Court Victory Boost has been handed to property claimants after the Federal High Court ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately release 27 houses previously seized over alleged criminal links.

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Justice Joyce Abdulmalik gave the directive while ruling on suit FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, which had been initiated by the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency previously secured an interim forfeiture order on 13 March, alleging the homes were purchased with illicit proceeds.

After the order was published on 4 April, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his firm, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo asserted her title to House No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

All three objected to the commission’s request for a final forfeiture order. In her 31 October judgment, Justice Abdulmalik upheld the objections, stating that Okwete’s affidavit to show cause had clear merit.

She noted further that the EFCC did not challenge Oladapo’s claim to the Wuse property.

The judge dismissed the EFCC’s bid for final forfeiture, set aside the interim order entirely and directed that the properties be released without delay.

She held that the agency’s motion was now “otiose”, stressing that there was no basis for the homes to remain under forfeiture.

Despite the unambiguous ruling, counsel to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN), has petitioned the EFCC Chairman over what he described as the commission’s refusal to comply.

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In a letter dated 27 November, he reminded the agency that its lawyers, led by Maryam Hayatudeen, were present in court when the judgment was delivered.