The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly refusing to comply with a court order directing the immediate release of documents for 27 seized properties.
The warning, contained in a Form 48 served on the EFCC Chairman, follows the commission’s continued non-compliance with the court’s October 31, 2025 judgment, which vacated an interim forfeiture order on the properties and ruled that they be returned to their owners.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had set aside the interim order obtained by the EFCC on March 13, after James Ikechukwu Okwete, Jamec West African Ltd, and Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo successfully proved ownership of the properties. The judge dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture and ordered the immediate release of all title documents.
Despite being served with the judgment on November 14, the EFCC has allegedly refused to comply. A letter from the property owners’ counsel, Serekowei Larry (SAN), accused the commission of “blatant disobedience,” noting that even court enforcement officials were turned back during an attempted execution of the judgment.
The court has now warned that the EFCC Chairman risks being held in contempt if he fails to comply with the order without further delay.
