Court Issues Contempt Warning To EFCC Chairman Over 27 Seized Properties

The Federal High Court in Abuja has served a Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court) on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, threatening him with contempt proceedings for failing to obey a judgment delivered on 31 October 2025.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had, in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, vacated an interim forfeiture order earlier obtained by the EFCC on 13 March 2025 and ordered the immediate release of 27 houses across the country to their verified owners businessman James Ikechukwu Okwete, his company Jamec West Africa Limited (26 properties) and Mrs Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo (one property in Wuse 2, Abuja).

The judge held that the EFCC failed to prove that the properties were proceeds of crime and upheld the owners’ affidavits showing legitimate acquisition.

Despite the judgment being served on the EFCC on 14 November 2025, and a subsequent visit by the court’s Enforcement Unit on 26 November, the commission has refused to hand over the title documents.

In a pre-action letter dated 27 November 2025, counsel to the property owners, Serekowei Larry (SAN), accused the EFCC of “blatantly disobeying” the court order.

On Tuesday, the court registrar issued Form 48 directly addressed to Olukoyede, warning:“Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order of the Federal High Court made on 31st October 2025… you will be guilty of contempt of court and liable to be committed to prison.”

The EFCC is yet to release the properties or file an appeal against the judgment as at the time of this report.Contempt proceedings may commence if the anti-graft agency fails to comply immediately.