Court Issues Contempt Warning to EFCC Chairman Over 27 Seized Properties

• A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a formal contempt warning to the EFCC Chairman for allegedly refusing to comply with a judgment ordering the immediate release of 27 properties earlier seized by the commission.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged continued refusal to comply with its October 31 judgment directing the immediate release of 27 properties the commission had seized on suspicion of being proceeds of crime.

The warning was issued through a Form 48, signed by the court’s Registrar and addressed directly to the EFCC Chairman. The document, sighted on Wednesday, warned that failure to obey the court’s directive amounts to contempt, which carries serious legal consequences.

The notice reads in part:
“Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court made on 31st October 2025… you will be guilty of contempt of court.”

The court noted that despite being served the judgment and order, the EFCC had “as of Tuesday, December 2, 2025,” still failed to release the property documents to their owners as ordered.

Background of the Case

On March 13, the EFCC secured an interim forfeiture order against 27 properties located across various states. The court directed the commission to publish the order, giving interested parties an opportunity to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Following the publication, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his firm, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo laid claim to another located at No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The three parties opposed the EFCC’s bid for permanent forfeiture.

Delivering judgment on October 31, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld their objections, dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, and ordered the commission to immediately return the properties and documents to their owners.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the affidavits filed by the claimants had merit and that the EFCC had failed to disprove their ownership. She therefore vacated the interim forfeiture order in its entirety.

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Alleged Disobedience and Escalation

Despite the clear ruling, the EFCC has allegedly failed to comply. According to a letter submitted by counsel to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN), the judgment was served on November 14, and court enforcement officials visited the EFCC office on November 26—but were reportedly turned back.

Larry warned the EFCC Chairman against what he described as “blatant disobedience” of a lawful court order, urging him to act immediately to avoid further legal consequences.

He wrote, “In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it would be the height of lawlessness for court judgments to be ignored.”

The claimants say they expect a prompt response from the EFCC before taking additional steps.