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, indicating that he risks imprisonment for allegedly failing to comply with a court ruling.
The court’s warning stems from a suit filed against the EFCC by Bliss Multinational Perfection and Arch Oyinmiebi Bribena, the Chief Executive Officer of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
In the case, Justice Isa H. Dashen, presiding over suit number FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022, had ruled that the EFCC should not seize properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Bribena, as they were not proven to be proceeds of crime.
The court also declared the EFCC’s actions, including the seizure and sealing of these properties and instructing Bribena’s banks to freeze his accounts, as unlawful.
Furthermore, the EFCC was permanently restrained from taking any action against Bribena, including inviting, harassing, arresting, or detaining him, especially in connection with the civil dispute involving Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited and its members.
The court also awarded ₦10,000,000 in exemplary damages against the EFCC for the unlawful seizure and attachment of properties.
Despite this ruling, the plaintiff alleges that the EFCC, through its Port Harcourt Zonal Office, continued to defy the court’s orders.
The office reportedly engaged an estate valuer to appraise and rent out properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Bribena, actions that directly violate the court’s judgment.
As a result of this alleged defiance, the court has issued a “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order” addressed to EFCC Chairman Olukoyede. The notice warns that unless he complies with the court’s directives, he could be found guilty of contempt of court and face imprisonment.
This legal development underscores the seriousness of the situation and highlights the importance of adhering to court rulings.