Court warns EFCC over failure to release 27 seized properties

A Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly failing to comply with its October 31 judgment ordering the release of 27 houses wrongfully seized by the commission.

The warning, issued on Tuesday through a Form 48 by the court’s Registrar, directs the EFCC to immediately release the property documents to the rightful owners, warning that continued non-compliance would constitute contempt of court.

The properties, initially seized by the EFCC on March 13 under an interim forfeiture order, were claimed by James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West Africa Limited, as well as Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo.

The court ruled in favor of the owners, vacated the interim forfeiture order, and dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.

Lawyer to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN), had written to the EFCC on November 27, accusing the commission of refusing to comply with the court order, despite multiple attempts by the Enforcement Unit to retrieve the property documents.

Larry urged the EFCC to act promptly to avoid further legal action.