The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports alleging it disobeyed a Federal High Court order directing its operatives to vacate a property located at House 6, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja.
In a statement on Monday, the EFCC described the media reports as misleading and a distortion of facts surrounding the ongoing legal dispute over the property, which is linked to former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The Commission clarified that it lawfully obtained possession of the property through a court order granted by Justice Musa Liman on March 27, 2025, following its final forfeiture to the Federal Government as proceeds of crime.
“The EFCC has always upheld the rule of law,” the statement read. “The March 27 order was lawfully secured, and the Commission made full disclosure of all relevant facts before the court. Claims of disobedience or misrepresentation are baseless.”
The Commission explained that its ex-parte application for possession targeted a sitting tenant, Chief Ikechi Emenike, whose tenancy was originally with Diezani. It refuted claims that Emenike had been paying rent to the EFCC for over a decade or that he was granted unconditional rights to purchase the property.
“Justice Musa’s April 18, 2024 ruling only allows Emenike to exercise a right of first refusal if and when the property is to be disposed of, and such disposal is yet to be initiated,” the EFCC stated.
The Commission also rejected reports of a contempt order against its Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, or its counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, stating that no such order had been served. It added that a stay of execution on the court’s order is currently pending.
“The EFCC remains a law-abiding institution, and neither its Chairman nor legal representatives are in contempt of any court,” the statement concluded.
