Federal High Court Issues Interim Forfeiture Order for Allegedly Misappropriated N20 Million

Strategic Insights -

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an interim forfeiture order for N20 million allegedly misappropriated through fraudulent contracts at the National Steel Council (NSC). The court's decision, made by Justice Emeka Nwite, follows an ex-parte motion presented by Ogechi Ujam, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The order allows any interested parties 14 days from publication to provide reasons why the funds should not be permanently seized by the Federal Government. The case has been adjourned to September 5 for the EFCC to report compliance with the court's directives.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Federal High Court has issued an interim forfeiture order for N20 million allegedly misappropriated through fraudulent contracts at the National Steel Council (NSC).
  • The order was granted following an ex-parte motion presented by Ogechi Ujam, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
  • The court instructed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper, allowing any interested parties 14 days from the publication date to provide reasons why the funds should not be permanently seized by the Federal Government.
  • An investigation revealed that Le-Juene International Nigeria Limited received funds for a contract awarded by the NSC but failed to execute the project or use the funds for their intended purpose.
  • The EFCC emphasized the urgency of securing the funds to ensure their restitution to the Federal Government.
  • The case was adjourned to September 5 for the EFCC to report compliance with the court's directives.
  • The EFCC will publish the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper and provide an opportunity for interested parties to provide reasons why the funds should not be permanently seized.

Statistics:

  • N20 million: the amount allegedly misappropriated through fraudulent contracts at the NSC.
  • 14 days: the time allotted for interested parties to provide reasons why the funds should not be permanently seized.
  • September 5: the date for the EFCC to report compliance with the court's directives.
  • July 29: the date on which the EFCC filed the ex-parte motion.
  • FHC/ABJ/CS/1528/2025: the reference number for the ex-parte motion.

Sources:

  • News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
  • News report from the Federal High Court trial involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Steel Council (NSC)