JUSTICE O.A. Owoeye of Court 10, Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, April 7, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the premises of Goodwill Private Schools in Ikorodu, pending the final determination of an ongoing legal dispute.
Justice Owoeye gave the order after listening to arguments by the school’s Counsel, Benson Enikuomehin, and the EFCC, represented by Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa.
Enikuomehin had argued that EFCC’s occupation of the premises violated Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act (2006), which outlines the procedure for non-conviction-based forfeiture, insisting that that the interim forfeiture was granted improperly through an ex parte application, instead of a motion on notice, rendering the process null and void.
He further argued that the disputed property was acquired through a contractual transaction between Goodwill School and First City Monument Bank (FCMB), which, by law, does not constitute proceeds of crime under the provisions of AFFA.
The Defence Counsel criticised the Commission’s handover of the property to a private individual, Mrs. Olabisi Olaiya, saying only the Federal Government can legally benefit from forfeiture under non-conviction proceedings.
But Kofarnaisa argued that the matter had already been decided by the court (functus officio) and that the school’s refusal to vacate constituted a criminal offence.
Enikuomehin countered by informing the court that EFCC operatives had occupied the school since February 27, 2025, halting academic activities, including preparations for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The presiding Judge ruled in favour of the school, ordering the EFCC to vacate the premises and refrain from further interference until the substantive case is resolved, while a date would be communicated for the court’s final decision on the matter.
Published:
Related articles
Recent articles
