Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕
By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 13 million dollars traced to an oil and gas firm, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, over failure to prove the legitimacy of the funds.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the company and its promoter, Aisha Achimugu, did not provide credible evidence to establish that the money was lawfully acquired.
The forfeiture followed a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Nwite ruled that the explanations offered by the company’s counsel, Darlington Ozurumba, were unsubstantiated.
Ozurumba had claimed that the 13 million dollars originated from gifts to Achimugu as well as earnings from oil and gas-related contracts. However, the court found that these claims were not backed by verifiable evidence.
The judge also dismissed the defence’s contention that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the interim forfeiture order issued on August 22, 2025, during the court’s vacation sitting. He affirmed that due process was followed in line with relevant laws.
Agreeing with submissions by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, the court held that the provisions of Order 46(5) of the Federal High Court Rules were duly complied with.
The court also ruled that Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, was fully adhered to in the proceedings.
Justice Nwite further described as “baseless” the argument that the EFCC acted as a meddlesome interloper.
He noted that the anti-graft agency is empowered by law to investigate and recover suspected illicit funds, regardless of whether a formal complaint was lodged.
The ruling effectively vests ownership of the forfeited sum in the Federal Government, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes and illicit enrichment in the country.
Details later.
