A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of N31 million and four properties allegedly acquired by Obiajulu Emmanuel through proceeds of unlawful activities.
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday, the ruling was delivered by Justice Alexander Owoeye on May 8, 2025, following an ex-parte motion brought before the court by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC.
The application was filed and moved by the Commission’s counsel, C. C. Okezie.
In her submission, Okezie told the court that the EFCC’s application was supported by an eight-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Yusuf Hassan, an investigating officer with the Commission.
She said the funds and properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired from criminal activities.
“The properties were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities,” she stated during the hearing.
Justice Owoeye, after reviewing the documents and supporting evidence, granted the interim forfeiture as requested by the EFCC.
“Having been fully persuaded with the evidence presented before the court. The application is hereby granted,” the judge said.
The properties include residential buildings located in various parts of Lagos, such as a four-bedroom terrace duplex, a three-bedroom terrace duplex, as well as several one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment units.
The court also ordered that the interim forfeiture be published in a national newspaper to give any interested parties the opportunity to contest the order.
“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,” Justice Owoeye directed
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