A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of several high-value properties linked to suspected proceeds of unlawful activities, pending final determination of the case.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe, moved an ex-parte application seeking the interim forfeiture of the assets.
Ruling on the motion, the judge held that the properties should be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government, pending the hearing of a motion on notice for final forfeiture.
He also directed that the interim order be publicly advertised to allow any interested party to come forward and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
According to the court, such persons are expected to appear within 14 days of publication to contest the forfeiture.
Justice Egwuatu further ordered that the publication of the interim order must be made within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the ruling. The matter was adjourned to May 25 for a report on compliance.
The EFCC, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/607/2026, said the application was brought under the provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The commission argued that the assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities.
The affected properties are located in highbrow areas of Abuja, including Dakibiyu, Wuse, Maitama, Garki, and Mpape.
They include multiple blocks of terraces, duplexes, and flats—among them a duplex with penthouse and office complex on Niger Street, a standalone duplex in Palm Springs Estate, Mpape, and several residential buildings in Wuse and Garki.
One of the listed properties, a two-block structure in Garki, is currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The court’s decision marks the beginning of proceedings that could lead to the permanent forfeiture of the assets if no party successfully challenges the order within the stipulated period.
