A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after the commission failed to carry out the court’s October 31, 2025 order directing the immediate release of 27 properties earlier taken by the agency. The notice, issued through Form 48 on Tuesday and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, stated that ignoring the judgment could lead to contempt charges.
The warning, seen on Wednesday, reminded the EFCC leadership that the court had already ordered the release of all property documents to their owners in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025. The court noted that despite serving the judgment earlier, the commission had still not obeyed the ruling as of December 2.
The properties were seized earlier in the year when the EFCC obtained an interim forfeiture order on March 13. After the order was published in April, James Ikechukwu Okwete, his company Jamec West Africa Limited, and Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo came forward to claim ownership of the houses. They later opposed the EFCC’s move for permanent forfeiture.
On October 31, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered judgment in their favour. She set aside the interim forfeiture order and ruled that the properties be released to their owners without delay. The court also dismissed the EFCC’s request for final forfeiture.
Following the judgment, counsel to Okwete and Jamec West Africa Limited, Serekowei Larry (SAN), wrote to the EFCC chairman complaining that the agency had refused to obey the order. He said the judgment was served on the commission on November 14 but no action was taken. He added that even when court enforcement officials visited the EFCC office on November 26 to carry out the judgment, the commission allegedly refused to release the documents.
In the letter, the counsel said he hoped the EFCC chairman was unaware of the refusal to comply and urged him to act before the next legal step is taken by the property owners.
The matter remains unresolved as the court warns that failure to obey its order will amount to contempt.