ABUJA — Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court ordered a luxury bungalow in Abuja’s Gwarimpa district forfeited to the Federal Government. The property at No. 12, 5th Avenue, 59 Crescent, valued at N70 million, includes a four-bedroom detached house with penthouse and two-room boys quarters.

The ruling came after EFCC lawyer Emenike Mgbemele moved a motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2431/2025. Omotosho found the application meritorious. He noted the commission complied with a January 13 interim forfeiture order by publishing it in Business Day newspaper on January 23. No interested parties showed cause to block the final order.

EFCC investigator Alozie Andrew detailed the probe in an affidavit. A petition from the Anti-Corruption Network sparked the case. His team pulled bank records, corporate filings from the Corporate Affairs Commission, and interviewed witnesses. Funds traced to the Kogi State Internally Generated Revenue Service, or KGIRS, bought the property.

Senator Oseni Yakubu chaired KGIRS at the time. Officials said he approved payments to Bespoque Business Solutions Ltd, where he was sole signatory. Yakubu allegedly took a N70 million kickback from consultant fees. That money went to EFAB Properties Ltd in tranches of N25 million and N45 million to purchase the bungalow. Yakubu put it in the name of Nuhu Muhammed for Kabiru Aliyu.

Andrew’s affidavit states Yakubu confirmed the purchase during an EFCC interview under caution. Bespoque Managing Director Philip Kuma, Kabiru Aliyu, and Nuhu Muhammed also gave statements. Aliyu denied ownership.

Mike Enahoro-Ebah appeared for the property owner. He sought permission to argue a motion filed February 16. Omotosho said it wasn’t in court records and proceeded with the ruling. Enahoro-Ebah noted the filing happened Monday. Mgbemele countered that EFCC met the 14-day publication deadline and extended time for responses.

In his decision, Omotosho framed the key issue: whether to issue final forfeiture. He cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The judge explained forfeiture punishes property from unlawful gains. Courts preserve such assets interim, then finalize upon confirmation.

“Having published the motion on notice and the interim forfeiture order in Business Day Newspaper, there is therefore nothing stopping this court to make the final order,” Omotosho held. He granted the motion in the interest of justice. This non-conviction based forfeiture targets suspected crime proceeds without criminal trial.

The motion, dated February 9 and filed February 10 by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, listed six grounds. It stressed the court’s powers and lack of opposition after notice. Omotosho advised Enahoro-Ebah to pursue legal remedies if dissatisfied. He noted he typically adjourns rulings a week to allow reactions, but time had passed.

The case highlights EFCC’s push against corruption in state revenue agencies. Yakubu’s alleged role highlights risks in public procurement. No arrests or charges against him were mentioned in court filings.