The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
feels obliged to correct the distortions and misrepresentations contained in a
news story published by Sahara Reporters headlined: “EFCC Invades Abuja
Property Despite Court Order Restraining Agency, Awarding N20million To Jona
Brothers”.
The Abuja property, Plot 680-689 Cadastral Zone B06,
Mabushi, Abuja, referenced in the report, is a subject of criminal charge
before Justice A.I Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court .
However, the EFCC sought and secured an order of
interim forfeiture of the property before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal
High Court sitting in Abuja pending the determination of the criminal charge
before Justice Kutigi. In granting the order, the court authorized the
EFCC to “appoint competent persons/ firm to manage the assets/properties listed
in the schedule therein, temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government
pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of criminal charges
against the suspect”.
What Sahara Reporters wrongfully called “ invasion”
was the Friday, November 28, 2025 enforcement of the order of attachment of the
property by officers of the Commission. No extra-judicial measure or step was
ever taken by the EFCC.
It is also important to point out that the criminal
charge struck out by Justice Osho Adebiyi and the N20m cost she awarded is not
in any way connected to the interim order.
In addition, the enforcement of the interim forfeiture
order of the property by the Commission is without prejudice to ongoing appeals
on court pronouncements about the true ownership of the property. The appeals
are ongoing and the EFCC is diligently attending proceedings.
The media is enjoined to keep faith with the ethics of
objectivity and balanced reporting and allow the EFCC concentrate on its
mandate of ridding the country of all acts of corruption.
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