The Digest:
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate release of 27 properties wrongly seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), declaring the anti-graft agency's forfeiture case without merit. According to TheCable, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the EFCC's final forfeiture application, ruling that the property owners successfully proved legitimate ownership of the assets.
Key Points:
- Federal High Court ordered EFCC to immediately release 27 seized properties
- Justice Abdulmalik vacated the interim forfeiture order from March 2025
- Properties include 26 claimed by James Okwete/Jamec West Africa Ltd
- One property in Wuse 2, Abuja, claimed by Adebukunola Oladapo
- The court ruled owners provided sufficient evidence of legitimate ownership
- EFCC failed to prove properties were acquired illegally
- Despite the November 14 ruling, EFCC has yet to comply with the release order
- Lawyers accuse commission of "blatantly disobeying" court judgment
Sources: The Cable, The Nation
