The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, arraigned Benjamin Okoye, Moughalu David Arinze, Okey Okeke, Ekene Mgbeokwere, and Eboh Thaddeus before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. They face a one-count charge for allegedly tampering with a forfeited property.
According to the EFCC, the defendants, along with Ilongwo Angela, currently at large, unlawfully dealt with a property at Plot 165C, Block 12, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, which had been placed under interim forfeiture to the Federal Government. The act is said to contravene Section 32(1) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
The accused pleaded not guilty, prompting EFCC’s counsel, Hannatu U. KofarNaisa, to indicate readiness to proceed with the trial. Defense counsel for the first four defendants, M.C. Odo, moved for bail, highlighting that the defendants had been in custody. Counsel for the fifth defendant, N. Chukwuemeka, noted an existing bail order.
Justice Owoeye scheduled January 24, 2025, for a ruling on the bail applications. During the trial, EFCC operative Abubarkar Mohammed testified, recounting the defendants’ presence at the property despite its forfeiture. He described the defendants’ eviction and subsequent arrest after they re-entered the property.
The prosecution submitted the interim forfeiture order from 2017, which was admitted as Exhibit A. The trial was adjourned to February 14, 2025, for further proceedings.
