Court Warns EFCC Chairman Over Failure To Release 27 Seized Houses
A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged refusal to comply with its 31 October judgment ordering the immediate release of 27 houses said to have been wrongfully seized.
The warning was issued on Tuesday in a Form 48 contempt notice signed by the court’s Registrar and addressed directly to the EFCC Executive Chairman.
The notice reads, “To the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Plot 301/302, Institute and Research Cadastral District, Jabi, Abuja.
“Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court, made on 31st October, 2025, which ordered you to immediately release the property documents to the property owners/respondents in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, you will be guilty of contempt of court.
“A copy of the said order of court which was earlier served on you is hereby annexed for ease of reference.
“This court has been informed that even as at today, Tuesday, 2nd December, 2025, you are yet to comply with the lawful order of the Federal High Court by refusing to release the property documents to the property owners/respondents.
“You are hereby directed to comply with the order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court.”
The EFCC had, on 13 March, obtained an ex parte interim forfeiture order against the 27 properties located across the country and was directed to publish the order within 14 days for interested parties to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The interim forfeiture order was published in the Punch newspaper of 4 April. Following the publication, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo showed interest in House No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.
Okwete, Jamec Ltd and Oladapo opposed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture of the properties.
In a judgment delivered on 31 October, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld their objection, dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, vacated the interim forfeiture order, and ordered the immediate release of the houses.
Justice Abdulmalik held, “I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.”
She added, “Additionally, I hold in favour of Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo, being person interested in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, her affidavit filed to show cause stands substantiated in its entirety.”
She ruled, “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/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House 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.”
However, counsel to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN), has petitioned the EFCC Chairman over the commission’s alleged refusal to obey the judgment.
In a 27 November letter, Larry wrote, “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 31th October, 2025 when judgment was given against you.”
He noted that the judgment was delivered in the presence of EFCC counsel led by Maryam Hayatudeen.
He said, “On 14th November, 2025, the judgment order was served on your good office and nothing was done to obey it.”
He added, “On 26th November, 2025, the Federal High Court through its Enforcement Unit, led by Mrs. Lilian Amenger, proceeded to your office to execute the judgment which simply required your office to hand over the title documents of the properties, subject matter of the suit, to the officials of the court.
“In straight words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgment which in its penultimate paragraph used the words, ‘the immediate release.’”
Larry stated, “In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it will be the height of it if judgments 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 reasonable time before we take further steps.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
