A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, over his alleged refusal to comply with a court ruling. The case involves a suit filed against the EFCC by Bliss Multinational Perfection and the Chief Executive Officer of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Arch Oyinmiebi Bribena.
Justice Isa H. Dashen, in suit number FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022, had issued a perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC from seizing properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfection and Bribena, ruling that the assets in question were not proceeds of crime. Additionally, the court declared that the EFCC’s actions in seizing and sealing the properties were unlawful.
The court further ruled that the instructions given by the EFCC to Bribena’s bankers to freeze his accounts were illegal. Justice Dashen also barred the Commission from harassing, detaining, or arresting Bribena and his associates in connection with civil disputes arising from the operations of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
The court awarded N10 million in exemplary damages against the EFCC for the unlawful seizure of the properties.
Despite the court’s ruling, the plaintiffs have alleged that the EFCC, through its Port Harcourt Zonal Office, engaged an estate valuer to assess and rent out the properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Bribena, in direct violation of the court order.
In response, the court issued a “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order” addressed to EFCC Chairman Olukoyede, warning him of the risk of imprisonment. The notice stated, “Unless you obey the direction contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
