EFCC appeals court judgment on release of 27 properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Thursday said it has lodged a notice of appeal against a judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the release of 27 houses to James Ikechukwu Okwete, and his company Jamec West Africa Limited .

In the appeal at the Abuja Division of Appeal Court with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, the Commission expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of the trial court delivered on October 31, 2025 on the matter.

EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, sought two orders of the Court of Appeal on the matter.

The EFCC souht “An order of this Honourable Court staying execution of the judgment of this honourable court delivered on the 31st day of October 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed on the 1st day of December 2025 against the judgment.”

“And for such other further orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances”

The matter is awaiting hearing at the Court of Appeal.

Justice Abdulmalik on Tuesday warned Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the EFCC on the consequences of still holding on to the property despite court ordering the immediate release of 27 properties.

The warning was contained in a Form 48, a notice of the consequences of disobedience to a court order, issued on Tuesday and addressed to the EFCC chairman.

Read the notice: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court, made on 31st October, 2025, which ordered you to immediately release the property documents to the property owners/respondents in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, you will be guilty of contempt of court.

“A copy of the said order of court which was earlier served on you is hereby annexed for ease of reference.

“This court has been informed that even as at today, Tuesday, 2nd December, 2025 you are yet to comply with the lawful order of the Federal High Court by refusing to release the property documents to the property owners/respondents.

“You are hereby directed to comply with the order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court”.

The EFCC on March 13, secured an interim forfeiture order on 27 properties located in different parts of the country.

The court directed the Commission to publish the order within 14 days to allow any interested party to appear and justify ownership.

The interim order was published in The Punch of April 4.

Subsequently, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, laid claim to 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo declared interest in House No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

They all opposed the Commission’s application for the final forfeiture of the assets.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in a ruling on October 31, upheld the objections, dismissed the EFCC’s bid for final forfeiture, vacated the interim order, and directed the agency to immediately return the properties.

The judge held that Okwete’s affidavit had merit, further ruling in favour of Oladapo, noting that the EFCC did not oppose her claim.