The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release 27 houses that were wrongly seized as proceeds of crime.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the court ruled that the commission had failed to prove that the properties were acquired unlawfully.
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As a result, the court vacated an interim forfeiture order issued on March 13, which had temporarily granted the anti-graft agency possession of the properties.
The interim order arose from a suit filed by the EFCC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025. Following the issuance of the order, the court instructed the commission to publish a notice to allow anyone with a claim on the properties to present proof of ownership.
After the publication on April 4, Jamec West African Limited and its owner, Ikechukwu Okwute, came forward to claim 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo expressed interest in the property at No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.
The claimants, through their legal representatives, presented evidence to the court establishing their legitimate ownership of the properties.
In its final judgement, the court concluded that the claimants had successfully proven their case.
Justice Abdulmalik upheld the objections filed by the claimants against the interim forfeiture order granted to the EFCC and ordered the immediate release of the properties to them.
“I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.
“Additionally, I hold in favour of Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo being the person interested in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learnt senior counsel for the Applicant (EFCC) has informed the court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause stands substantiated in its entirety.
“Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of forfeiture granted on 13th March 2025 to the applicant in respect of the properties listed in the schedule attached to the applicant’s ex-parte originating motion.
“Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/their documents to the property owner/respondent and the house at No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, to Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo, respectively.
“In that vein, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture along with the corresponding responses filed are now otiose. I so hold,” Justice Abdulmalik stated.
Meanwhile, Serekowei Larry, SAN, counsel to the firm, wrote to the EFCC Chairman, alleging the commission’s failure to comply with the judgement.
The letter, dated November 27, stated: “We write as counsel to Mr James Okwete and his company – Jamec West Africa Ltd, ‘the property owners’, to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31st October, 2025, when judgement was given against you.
“As indicated above, judgement was given by the Federal High Court, coram: Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, on Friday, 31st October, 2025, in the presence of your counsel, led by Maryam Hayatudeen, Esq.
“On 14th November, 2025, the judgement order was served on your good office, and nothing was done to obey it.
“On 26th November, 2025, the Federal High Court, through its Enforcement Unit, led by Mrs Lilian Amenger, proceeded to your office to execute the judgement, which simply required your office to hand over the title documents of the properties, the subject matter of the suit, to the officials of the court.
“In plain words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgement, which in its penultimate paragraph used the words ‘the immediate release’.
“In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it will be the height of it if judgements of court are blatantly disobeyed. We, however, want to believe that you are not aware of what happened, hence this letter.
“We anticipate your positive reactions within a reasonable time before we take further steps.”