Court issues contempt ruling against EFCC chairman

Court issues contempt ruling against EFCC chairman

A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has taken a stern stance against Olanipekun Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly failing to comply with a court ruling.

The decision follows a lawsuit filed by Bliss Multinational Perfection and Oyinmiebi Bribena, CEO of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Isa H. Dashen, the court issued a perpetual injunction against the EFCC, prohibiting the seizure of properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfections Limited and Bribena.

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The court ruled that the properties were not proceeds of crime and declared the EFCC’s actions—seizing and sealing these properties—as unlawful.

Justice Dashen also criticized the EFCC for instructing Bribena’s bankers to impose a post-no-debt lien on his accounts, labelling such actions as unlawful.

The court’s judgment includes a severe admonishment for Olukoyede, suggesting his continued non-compliance with the ruling could lead to imprisonment.

In addition to the injunction, the court awarded N10,000,000 in exemplary damages against the EFCC.

Court issues contempt ruling against EFCC chairman