The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of a United Kingdom property linked to late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jeremiah Useni, to the Federal Government.

Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Binta Nyako granted a motion filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), which argued that the property was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The property, located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, Neasden, London, had earlier been placed under an interim forfeiture order on November 20, 2025. The CCB subsequently published a public notice inviting interested parties to contest the action, but no claims were filed.

Court Case and Legal Grounds

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2333/2025, listed the administrators of Useni’s estate and the property itself as respondents.

Counsel to the CCB, Sufyan Ahmad, relied on provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to justify the application for final forfeiture.

Investigation Findings

Investigations by the bureau’s Financial Investigation and Forensic Accounting Unit revealed that Useni’s declared earnings during his time in public office could not account for the acquisition of the London property.

Authorities said the discrepancy pointed to the likelihood that the asset was funded through undeclared or illicit sources.

UK Tribunal Confirms Ownership

Further strengthening the case, a United Kingdom tribunal — the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — ruled in case REF/2023/0155 that Useni was the beneficial owner of the property.

The tribunal found that the property had been purchased using a fictitious identity to conceal ownership. Claims by individuals, including one “Ms Tali Shani” and a lawyer, were dismissed after the court determined that the supporting documents were fraudulent.

Court Ruling

Justice Nyako held that the forfeiture aligns with the interest of justice and supports Nigeria’s legal framework for recovering proceeds of unlawful activities.

The ruling effectively transfers ownership of the UK property to the Federal Government of Nigeria, marking another step in ongoing efforts to strengthen asset recovery and anti-corruption enforcement.

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the Aisha Achimugu $13m forfeiture, ordering the final seizure of funds linked to Aisha Achimugu and her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd.

Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved the funds came from unlawful activities.

Court Rejects Claims in Forfeiture Case

Oceangate filed a suit to recover the funds. However, the court rejected its claims, stating that the company failed to provide a credible explanation for the source of the money.

Furthermore, the court dismissed the argument that the funds were gifts. It noted that Achimugu did not appear to defend the origin of the money, while no witness came forward to support the claim.

EFCC Strengthens Case with Evidence

The EFCC presented evidence linking the funds to suspicious financial transactions. As a result, the court held that the agency met all legal requirements to justify the forfeiture.

In addition, the court found that the company could not prove legitimate ownership or show any business activity capable of generating such funds.

Background to the Investigation

The case started in August 2025 when the court granted an interim forfeiture order. Subsequently, it directed the EFCC to publish the notice and invite interested parties to challenge it.

Later, investigators uncovered the company’s involvement in oil block licensing and large payments to the Federal Government.

Disputed Transactions Raise Concerns

The EFCC alleged that part of the funds came from cash transactions outside formal banking channels. Moreover, investigators traced the money to intermediaries and unlicensed operators.

In response, the company insisted the funds came from legitimate earnings and gifts. However, the court rejected the claims due to lack of evidence.

After reviewing all submissions, the court dismissed the company’s case and upheld the final forfeiture of the funds.

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Justice of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has issued a final directive to the (EFCC) to produce its witness against former Central Bank governor by the next adjourned date or face closure of the case.

The court imposed a fine of N500,000 on EFCC for failing to produce Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo, a key investigator in the alleged procurement fraud case, citing repeated delays despite an accelerated trial order.

Case details and charges

Emefiele is facing a 20-count charge brought by EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money by false pretence. He allegedly secured $6.23 million intended for international election observers during the 2023 general election and conferred corrupt advantages on two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

Court stance on adjournments

EFCC had sought another adjournment, citing administrative procedures preventing the witness from attending. The defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, opposed this, stating that the agency had already been granted eight adjournments—three more than the maximum allowed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Justice Muazu acknowledged the discretion courts have to grant adjournments in the interest of justice but emphasized the need for accountability and penalized EFCC for unnecessary delays.

Next steps

The court adjourned the trial to April 27 and 28 for continuation, emphasizing that the witness must be present, failing which the court may take further action in line with the law.

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A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has fined the (EFCC) N500,000 for repeatedly seeking adjournments in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank governor, .

Justice of the FCT High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, imposed the fine on Tuesday after the anti-graft agency requested another adjournment due to the absence of its witness.

The judge, however, granted what he described as a final adjournment to allow the prosecution present its witness in court.

Emefiele faces multiple charges

Emefiele is being prosecuted on a 20-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud, criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money under false pretence.

He is accused of allegedly securing over $6.2 million meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections, among other offences.

Defence opposes further adjournment

Counsel to the former CBN governor strongly opposed the application, arguing that the law limits the number of adjournments allowed in criminal trials.

The defence maintained that the prosecution had already exceeded the permitted number of adjournments and failed to adequately prepare its witness over a prolonged period.

Court cites interest of justice

In his ruling, Justice Muazu acknowledged the legal limits on adjournments but stated that the court retains discretion to grant one if it serves the interest of justice.

However, he sanctioned the EFCC for delaying proceedings despite earlier approval for accelerated hearing.

Next hearing date fixed

The court subsequently adjourned the case to April 27 and 28 for continuation of trial proceedings.

EFCC news, Godwin Emefiele trial, court fine Nigeria, procurement fraud case, FCT High Court, anti-corruption Nigeria, legal news Nigeria

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The EFCC made this known through an ex parte motion filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/177/2024, is part of a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture process.

According to the EFCC, Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded the funds and surrendered the property. The Commission believes the assets were obtained from unlawful activities.

In the motion, EFCC lawyer E. Iheanacho, SAN, asked the court to issue an interim forfeiture order. The order would transfer ownership of the funds and property to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Several company bank accounts linked to the case were listed. These include:

• Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited – ₦12.5 million

• Turge Global Investment Limited – ₦4.1 million

• Laptev Bridge Limited – ₦682,904

• Arafura Transnational Afro Ltd – ₦51.2 million

• EFCC Recovery Account – ₦220 million (refunded by Nwabuoku)

The EFCC also asked the court to publish the interim order in a national newspaper. This allows any interested parties 14 days to come forward and show cause. If no valid claim is made, the final forfeiture order may be granted.

According to EFCC investigator Chinelo Okpara, the funds in question were linked to the Ministry of Defence. They were originally allocated for internal security operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The investigation revealed that funds were funneled through four companies. The money was then transferred into an account belonging to M Davi Company Enterprises. This account was allegedly used for the personal benefit of Nwabuoku.

Between November 2019 and September 2020, ₦355 million was deposited into that account by various individuals, including one Joseph Gideon. Investigators say Nwabuoku admitted in a written statement that the money belonged to him.

Out of the total funds, ₦64 million was used to purchase a five-bedroom duplex at No. 20 City Gate Estate, Kukwaba, Abuja. Another ₦160 million was reportedly invested in securities and other financial instruments.

Nwabuoku later returned ₦220 million to the EFCC Recovery Account. He also handed over the property and its keys to the Commission.

The EFCC cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. This law allows the court to issue interim forfeiture orders without a criminal conviction if assets are linked to illegal activities.

Although the case was scheduled for mention on July 15, the court did not sit. A new date has been fixed for October 22, 2025.

Meanwhile, a separate case is ongoing. The EFCC is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count charge of money laundering involving ₦868 million. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General of the Federation by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2022. His appointment came after the suspension of Ahmed Idris, who was also under investigation.

The investigation and recovery efforts continue.

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The focus of the case is on two large plots in Cadastral Zone D12, Kaba District, Abuja. Together, the plots measure nearly 280,000 square meters and are valued at over ₦5 billion. They were meant for the construction of 962 housing units under the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Model Housing Estate.

The ICPC told the court that the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) engaged Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited as the developer. The bank secured a $65 million loan for the project from Ecobank. However, more than a decade later, not a single house has been built.

In an affidavit, ICPC investigator Iliya Marcus said the developer received the full amount. Yet, the site remains empty. He also revealed that the company was not registered with the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), which is a required step for such projects.

The ICPC believes the land may be the proceeds of unlawful activity. The agency said it had credible information that the developer was secretly trying to sell the land. If sold, it would be hard to reclaim. This is why the commission asked the court to intervene.

Justice Mohammed Umar agreed with the request. He granted the interim forfeiture to prevent the plots from being sold or misused. He also questioned why the full project funds were released when no work had started.

The court instructed ICPC to publish a notice in a national newspaper. This gives interested parties a chance to explain why the land should not be permanently seized by the government.

The case has been adjourned until October 27 for a compliance report. Meanwhile, Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited is already on trial in a separate case.

The Goodluck Jonathan Housing Estate land forfeiture shows the government’s effort to protect public property. It also highlights the need for better oversight of national housing projects. This case may serve as a turning point in how such projects are funded and managed in the future.

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