A Federal High Court in Lagos has temporarily confiscated N31 million and four properties allegedly connected to criminal proceeds traced to Obiajulu Emmanuel.
The ruling, issued on May 8, 2025, by Justice Alexander Owoeye, follows an ex-parte motion filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This was revealed in an official statement from the EFCC on Monday, May 12, 2025.
The case, presented by the EFCC’s legal representative C.C. Okezie, included evidence supported by an affidavit sworn by an EFCC investigator, Yusuf Hassan. According to Okezie, the Commission suspects that the seized money and properties were gained from unlawful acts.
“The properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities,” Okezie said during the court session.
Justice Owoeye, after reviewing the materials presented, agreed that there was sufficient ground for the interim forfeiture.
“Having been fully persuaded with the evidence presented before the court. The application is hereby granted,” the judge stated.
The properties listed include a four-bedroom terrace duplex, a three-bedroom terrace duplex, as well as multiple apartment units with one and two bedrooms, all located in different areas of Lagos State.
As part of the court’s instructions, the EFCC has also been ordered to publish the interim forfeiture notice in a national newspaper. This step is meant to alert the public and allow any interested individuals or parties to present their case if they believe the assets should not be permanently forfeited to the government.
“The Commission is hereby directed to publish the interim order in any national newspaper. To allow interested persons to show cause why the funds and property should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government,” the judge ordered.
