Court Seizes Lagos Mansion Over Shocking ₦986m Diesel Fraud

A Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order for a luxury property situated in Park View Estate, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, linked to a suspected ₦986 million fraud.

According to iReporter Online, the ruling was handed down by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu following an ex-parte application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its legal representative, Chineye Okezie. The court also directed the publication of the interim order in a national daily, calling on any interested parties to appear within 14 days and explain why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The EFCC’s counsel alleged that the property in question was purchased with funds traced to a fraudulent diesel transaction involving Mrs. Hannah Nwaguzor and one Ajayi Olushola. A petition received by the Commission from a businessman, Chukwulota Onuoha, along with two companies—G3 Solid Farms & Agro Allied Industries and Bohr Energy Ltd—claimed they were defrauded under the pretext of receiving Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) worth nearly one billion naira.

Investigations reportedly revealed that, in May 2024, Onuoha and the companies were introduced to the suspects through an intermediary, Irene Abidemi. Based on assurances provided, Bohr Energy Ltd transferred substantial sums to a company identified as Mozann Global Merchants Ltd on May 14 and 15, 2024. However, no diesel was delivered, and the funds were allegedly diverted.

Further forensic tracking by the Commission indicated that ₦500 million was funneled into the account of Hola Jayu Nigeria Ltd. Of this amount, ₦261 million was allegedly paid to one Orobosa Michael Ubogu as part of the purchase of the now-forfeited property.

EFCC submitted that the property represents suspected proceeds of crime, constituting a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act of 2006. The interim forfeiture, the agency argued, is in line with Section 17 of the Act and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the court to preserve assets suspected to be linked to criminal activity pending final adjudication.

The Commission emphasized that a forfeiture order does not necessarily require a criminal conviction. Citing Supreme Court precedents, EFCC maintained that a court may act on reasonable suspicion that the property is linked to unlawful dealings.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to September 2, 2025, for the hearing on the motion for final forfeiture.