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High Court Orders Release Of 27 Properties Wrongly Seized By EFCC

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Court

High Court Orders Release Of 27 Properties Wrongly Seized By EFCC

High court orders release of 27 properties wrongly seized by EFCC. A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release 27 properties earlier seized under an interim forfeiture order obtained by the anti-graft agency.
Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, gave the order while delivering judgement in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, filed by the EFCC.

The commission had secured an ex parte interim forfeiture order on March 13, claiming the properties were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
After the order was published in the Punch newspaper on April 4 as directed by the court, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his firm, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 of the properties.

Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo also declared interest in House No. 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja. The trio filed affidavits to show cause and opposed the EFCC’s application for a final forfeiture order.

In a judgement delivered on October 31, Abdulmalik upheld their objections, dismissed the EFCC’s bid for final forfeiture, and vacated the interim forfeiture order.

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The judge ruled that the evidence presented supported the owners’ claims.

“I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit,” she held.
On Oladapo’s claim, the court noted that the EFCC raised no objection.

“I hold in favour of the Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo being person interested in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed the court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause stands substantiated in its entirety.”

The judge set aside the interim order and directed the EFCC to hand over the properties without delay.
“Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of forfeiture granted on 13th March 2025… Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House No: 12 Fandriana Close… to Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo, respectively.”
She added that the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture had become “otiose”.

‘EFCC REFUSING TO OBEY COURT ORDER’

Despite the ruling, lawyers for Okwete and Jamec West Africa Ltd say the EFCC has refused to comply.

In a November 27 letter addressed to the EFCC chairman, Serekowei Larry, the lawyer, accused the commission of “blatantly disobeying” the judgement.
“We write as counsel to Mr. James Okwete and his company Jamec West Africa Ltd, the property owners,’ to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31st October, 2025, when judgment was given against you,” the letter reads.

Court

Court

Larry noted that the judgement was delivered in the presence of EFCC’s legal team on October 31, noting that certified copies were served on the commission on November 14.
He added that officials of the federal high court enforcement unit visited the EFCC on November 26 to execute the judgement but were not given the documents.

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“In straight words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgement, which in its penultimate paragraph used the words ‘the immediate release’,” he wrote.
Larry warned that disobedience of court orders undermines the rule of law.

“In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it will be the height of it if judgments of court are blatantly disobeyed. We, however, want to believe that you are not aware of what happened, hence this letter,” he added.
He said the property owners expect “positive reactions within a reasonable time before we take further steps”.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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