The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced its intention to appeal a ruling issued by Justice Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court in Bayelsa State against the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Justice Dashen warned that Olukoyede could face imprisonment for allegedly failing to comply with a court ruling in a case brought by Bliss Multinational Perfection and Oyinmiebi Bribena, CEO of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
The judge ruled that the EFCC’s seizure and sealing of the company’s and Bribena’s properties were unlawful, stating they were not proceeds of crime.
However, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Friday, said the Commission was not notified of the judgement date. Oyewale, the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, also expressed surprise at the court’s order.
“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been drawn to a trending report in the media that Ola Olukoyede, the Commission’s Executive Chairman, risks committal to prison for alleged violation of the orders of Justice Isa H. A. Dashen of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,” he said.
He explained that the lack of notification amounted to a denial of fair hearing in the case.
Oyewale also stated that a previous decision by the court in a similar matter involving the same defendants had been appealed, saying,
“The order restrains the EFCC from seizing properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Bribena, which are alleged to be proceeds of investment fraud, also known as a Ponzi scheme.
“It is important to point out that the judgement of 4th September 2024, by Justice Dashen, came as a surprise to the Commission as the EFCC was not notified of the judgement date.
“The Commission is, therefore, taking steps to appeal the judgement, which is still within the allowed time.
“An earlier decision by the court in a similar case involving the same defendants is currently under appeal at the appellate court in Port Harcourt.
“The Commission wishes to once again reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and will not wilfully violate any court order.”
Oyewale noted that the defendants had been investigated and indicted for investment fraud amounting to N2 billion, affecting over 123 victims.