EFCC Chair in Contempt Proceedings Over Alleged Withholding Of 27 Properties

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a formal warning to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged failure to comply with a judgment ordering the release of 27 properties earlier seized by the commission.

The warning was conveyed through a Form 48, issued on Tuesday by the court registrar and personally addressed to the EFCC Chairman. The notice was sighted on Wednesday.

In the notice, the court cautioned that failure to obey its ruling delivered on October 31, 2025, could expose the EFCC chairman to contempt proceedings. The judgment had directed the immediate release of the property documents to the lawful owners after the court found that the assets were wrongfully seized on the presumption that they were acquired with proceeds of crime.

The Form 48 stated in part that despite being served with the court order, the EFCC had allegedly refused to release the documents as of December 2, 2025, thereby violating the lawful directive of the court. The notice warned that continued disobedience would amount to contempt.

The 27 properties were initially placed under an interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC on March 13, 2025. The court had directed the commission to publicise the forfeiture order within 14 days for interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Following the publication, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo laid claim to one property located at No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja. The claimants subsequently challenged the EFCC’s bid for final forfeiture.

In her ruling on October 31, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld the objections, dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, vacated the interim forfeiture order, and directed the immediate release of the properties to their respective owners.

The judge held that the affidavit presented by Okwete successfully established ownership of the contested assets. She also ruled in favour of Oladapo, noting that the EFCC raised no objection to her claim over the Wuse 2 property. Consequently, the court set aside the forfeiture order in its entirety and declared the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture spent.

Meanwhile, counsel to Okwete and Jamec West African Limited, Serekowei Larry (SAN), has formally written to the EFCC chairman, accusing the commission of deliberately ignoring the court’s judgment.

In a letter dated November 27, 2025, the senior lawyer stated that the judgment was served on the EFCC on November 14, but no action had been taken to comply. He further revealed that officials of the court’s Enforcement Unit visited the EFCC on November 26 to enforce the judgment, but were allegedly denied the release of the property documents.

Larry described the refusal as a direct violation of the court order, stressing that openly disobeying court judgments undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law. He added that his clients expected the commission to comply promptly before taking further legal steps.