A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim order for the forfeiture of ₦31 million and four properties allegedly tied to unlawful activities by one Obiajulu Emmanuel.
The ruling was issued on May 8, 2025, by Justice Alexander Owoeye, following a request filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Commission disclosed the development in a statement released on Monday.
According to court documents, the EFCC’s legal representative, C.C. Okezie, filed the application on the Commission’s behalf, supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit sworn by Yusuf Hassan, an EFCC investigator.
Okezie argued that the funds and properties in question were believed to be the proceeds of criminal activities, stating, “The properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with illicit funds.”
After reviewing the application and supporting materials, Justice Owoeye ruled in favor of the EFCC, stating, “Having been fully persuaded with the evidence presented before the court, the application is hereby granted.”
The affected assets include various residential properties across Lagos, such as a four-bedroom terrace duplex, a three-bedroom terrace duplex, and a number of one- and two-bedroom apartments.
As part of the court’s directive, the interim forfeiture must now be published in a national newspaper to notify the public and allow any interested individuals or parties to come forward with valid claims.
“The Commission is hereby directed to publish the interim order in any national newspaper, so that any interested party may show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government,” the judge ordered.
This ruling is part of the EFCC’s broader effort to combat financial crimes and recover assets believed to have been obtained through fraudulent means.
