Court Orders Final Forfeiture of Warehouse and Steel Containers to Federal Government

 

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order for the final forfeiture of a warehouse and 54 steel containers to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The warehouse, constructed on a 1.925-hectare property located along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, Ogun State, was forfeited after no individual or entity came forward to claim ownership.

The court’s decision followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.

The process began on November 28, when Justice Dipeolu granted an interim forfeiture order and directed the EFCC to publish the notice in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) informed the court that the commission had fully complied with the directives. He further urged the court to issue a final forfeiture order in accordance with Section 44(2)(B) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

After reviewing the application and legal submissions, Justice Dipeolu approved the EFCC's request. The court ordered the permanent forfeiture of:

• A warehouse situated on 1.925 hectares of land at Km 8, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Magboro.
• 54 general-purpose steel containers.

The ruling marks another significant step in the EFCC's efforts to combat corruption and recover assets linked to fraudulent activities.

This forfeiture underscores the government’s commitment to holding individuals and organizations accountable for illicit financial activities. It also highlights the role of judicial processes in ensuring that unclaimed or illegally acquired properties are repurposed for the benefit of the public.

The EFCC is expected to take possession of the forfeited assets, which will now be managed under the federal government’s jurisdiction.