LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of 52 terrace and maisonette units in the Lekki area to the Federal Government.
Okay News reports that Justice Alexandra Owoeye issued the order on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following an application by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC.
The properties are located at Mercyville Estate, Covenant Way, off New Road, Ilasan, and were recovered from Fielddreams Limited, Ifeanyi Nweke and Amex Savings and Loans Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had obtained an interim forfeiture order in August 2024. The order was made after an ex parte application and required the commission to publish the decision in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause against a final forfeiture.
Following the publication, the respondents filed affidavits challenging the final seizure of the properties. The EFCC said their explanations about the source of funds used to develop the estate were inconsistent.
In their initial affidavit, the respondents allegedly stated that the 52 units were developed using proceeds from the sale of 29 terrace and maisonette units valued at N1.9 billion ($1.4 million). They later allegedly claimed that some applicants had failed to complete the properties, contradicting their earlier account that construction had been completed in 2020.
EFCC counsel Franklin Ofoma told the court that the commission had complied with the publication order and that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Ofoma also described Nweke as a criminal fugitive, alleging that he had failed to appear for arraignment in two criminal cases and had breached administrative bail granted by the EFCC. The prosecution said two arrest warrants remained in force against him.
In her ruling, Justice Owoeye rejected the respondents’ affidavit evidence, holding that the court could not selectively accept parts of their conflicting account.
The court consequently granted the EFCC’s application and ordered the final forfeiture of the 52 properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
