By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied allegations suggesting it disobeyed a court order relating to a disputed property located at House 6, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja. The Commission, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, insisted it has acted strictly within the confines of the law and in compliance with the directives of the Federal High Court.
The statement comes in response to media reports accusing the EFCC of defying an order by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which purportedly directed the agency to vacate the said property. However, the Commission said the narrative presented in the media was misleading and failed to reflect the actual legal standing and facts of the matter.
According to the EFCC, the court had on March 27, 2025, granted the Commission an order of possession of the Asokoro property, having been satisfied that it was a proceed of unlawful activity linked to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. The Commission maintained that the property had already been forfeited to the Federal Government through a valid order of final forfeiture.
“The EFCC is renowned for its avowed respect for the rule of law, and no claim of disobedience to court orders can stand,” the statement read. It added that the order for possession was obtained lawfully and that the EFCC had not misrepresented any material facts in securing the ex-parte order requiring Chief Ikechi Emenike, a tenant in the house, to vacate the premises.
The Commission also addressed the allegations that it disregarded ongoing contempt proceedings involving Chief Emenike, stating that the said proceedings had no bearing on the separate judgment that granted EFCC possession of the property. It clarified that Emenike had been paying rent while the property was under interim forfeiture and had a private tenancy agreement with Diezani Alison-Madueke, but denied claims that he had been paying rent to the EFCC for over a decade.
The EFCC further dismissed as “preposterous” suggestions that the court had granted Emenike a Right of First Refusal to purchase the property. Citing Justice Musa’s ruling of April 18, 2024, the Commission explained that the right could only be exercised if and when the EFCC announced an intention to dispose of the property, which has not yet occurred.
“Emenike’s right of first refusal can, therefore, not hold any water,” the Commission stated.
In addition, the EFCC rejected reports that its Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, or its counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, were under any contempt order. It said no such order had been served, and that a Stay of Execution had already been filed against the court’s June 16, 2025 order.
“The EFCC and its Chief Executive are law-abiding citizens,” Oyewale stated, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to due process and its readiness to comply with all judicial rulings as legally required.
The property in question remains a subject of intense public and legal interest, but the EFCC insists that its actions so far have been lawful and consistent with its anti-corruption mandate.
