Court Orders Luxury Homes Handed Over To Federal Government

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of 52 luxury terrace and maisonette units in Lekki to the Federal Government after ruling in favour of an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to Ireporter Online, Justice Alexandra Owoeye granted the forfeiture order following an application by the anti-graft agency through its counsel, Franklin Ofoma.

The properties, located at Mercyville Estate along Covenant Way, off New Road, Lekki, were linked to Fielddreams Limited, Ifeanyi Nweke and Amex Savings and Loans Limited and were alleged to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC had earlier secured an interim forfeiture order for the properties on August 14, 2024, following a ruling by Justice Akintayo Aluko after the commission filed an ex parte application.

The court had subsequently directed the EFCC to publish the interim order in a national newspaper, allowing interested parties to present reasons why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Following the publication, the respondents filed documents challenging the final forfeiture request, claiming that funds used for the development of the properties came from the sale of 29 terrace and maisonette units valued at ₦1.9 billion.

However, the court noted inconsistencies in their explanations, particularly after the respondents later changed their position regarding the completion of the remaining units.

During the proceedings, EFCC counsel informed the court that the commission had complied with the publication order and urged the court to grant the final forfeiture, arguing that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The anti-graft agency also informed the court that one of the respondents, Ifeanyi Nweke, was allegedly a fugitive who had failed to appear before courts handling criminal charges against him.

EFCC further stated that there were existing arrest warrants against Nweke and alleged that he violated administrative bail conditions earlier granted by the commission.

After considering submissions from both parties, Justice Owoeye ruled that the respondents’ affidavit evidence contained contradictions and could not be relied upon by the court.

The judge held that the EFCC had successfully established reasonable grounds to suspect that the properties were acquired through unlawful proceeds and consequently granted the application for their final forfeiture.

The ruling effectively transfers ownership of the 52 luxury residential units to the Federal Government of Nigeria.