The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a Notice of Appeal before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, challenging a judgment of the Federal High Court which ordered the release of 27 properties seized from former Federal Ministry of Works official, James Ikechukwu Okwete, and others.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a ruling delivered on October 31, 2025, set aside an interim forfeiture order earlier granted to the EFCC on March 13 and directed the commission to return the properties and their title documents to Okwete; his company, Jamec West Africa Limited; and a third claimant, Mrs. Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo.
The court held that the respondents had successfully demonstrated lawful ownership and legitimacy of acquisition, dismissing the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.
Following the judgment, the court issued a Form 48 contempt notice to the EFCC Chairman for allegedly failing to comply with the order after it was served on November 14. The notice warned that refusal to release the property documents constituted contempt of court.
According to the notice, officials of the court’s Enforcement Unit who visited the EFCC office on November 26 to retrieve the documents were turned back.
Subsequently, counsel for Okwete and Jamec West Africa Limited, Serekowei Larry (SAN), wrote to the EFCC Chairman on November 27, accusing the commission of “blatant disobedience” and demanding immediate compliance.
“In any regime, let alone a democracy, it would be the height of lawlessness for judgments of the court to be openly disobeyed,” Larry stated.
Reacting on Thursday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that the commission had filed an appeal against the ruling.
The appeal, filed by EFCC counsel Abba Mohammed (SAN), seeks two principal orders—an order staying execution of the Federal High Court judgment pending the determination of the appeal, and any other orders the Court of Appeal may deem appropriate.
Justice Abdulmalik had held that Okwete’s affidavit to show cause was credible, adding that Mrs. Oladapo had also established her ownership interest in House No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja—a claim the EFCC did not dispute.
The EFCC maintains that it is dissatisfied with the decision and is exercising its constitutional right to challenge it.
The matter now moves to the Court of Appeal, where the commission will seek to overturn the ruling while Okwete and the other beneficiaries push for enforcement of the judgment.
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