EFCC appeals judgment ordering release of 27 seized properties

File: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a notice of appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered the release of 27 properties linked to businessman James Ikechukwu Okwete and his firm, Jamec West Africa Limited.

The appeal, filed at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, challenges the decision delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on October 31, 2025.

In a statement released on Thursday, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the commission’s counsel, Abba Mohammed (SAN), expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, which vacated an interim forfeiture order and dismissed the agency’s bid for the final forfeiture of the assets.

Oyewale said the commission is seeking two orders from the appellate court.

The statement partly read, “The EFCC has filed a Notice of Appeal against a judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the release of 27 houses to James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West Africa Limited.

“In a NOTICE OF APPEAL filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in 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:

“First, an order of this Honourable Court staying execution of the judgment of the trial court delivered on October 31, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed on December 1, 2025, against the judgment.

“Second, such other orders as the Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

He added that the appeal is currently awaiting a hearing date.

The dispute dates back to March 13, when the EFCC secured an ex parte interim forfeiture order on the 27 properties, located in different parts of the country.

The court ordered the commission to publish the order within 14 days to enable interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Following PUNCH Online’s publication on April 4, Okwete and Jamec West Africa Limited laid claim to 26 of the assets, while another claimant, Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo, asserted ownership of a property at No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

They subsequently opposed the EFCC’s move for the final forfeiture of the properties.

In her October 31 judgment, Justice Abdulmalik upheld the objections, dismissed the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, vacated the interim order, and directed the commission to release the properties to their owners.

On December 3, PUNCH Online also reported that the Federal High Court warned the EFCC chairman about the consequences of failing to comply with the judgment, following claims that the commission had not fully obeyed the directive.

The PUNCH journalist, Solomon, has five years experience covering crime, judiciary and defence beats.

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