From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal High Court, in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Aisha Achimugu’s Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, ruling that the funds were not proven to have been legitimately acquired.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who delivered the judgement, granted the motion for final forfeiture filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), holding that neither the company nor Achimugu was able to demonstrate the lawful origin of the money.
In his ruling, the judge said the respondents failed to provide credible and verifiable evidence to substantiate claims that the funds were legitimately earned, thereby justifying the court’s decision to permanently forfeit the sum to the Federal Government.
Justice Nwite specifically rejected the argument of counsel to Oceangate, Mr Darlington Ozurumba, who had contended that the $13 million was derived from gifts to Achimugu as well as proceeds from oil and gas-related contracts. The court held that the claims were not supported by material facts.
The judge also dismissed the defence’s contention that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the interim forfeiture order made on August 22, 2025, during its vacation sitting.
He ruled that the order was validly issued in line with extant laws and court procedures.
Agreeing with the submissions of EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Justice Nwite, held that all relevant legal provisions were complied with in securing the interim forfeiture.
He cited Order 46(5) of the Federal High Court Rules and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, among others.
The court further described as “baseless” the argument that the anti-graft agency acted as a “meddlesome interloper” since no individual or corporate body had filed a complaint over missing funds.
Justice Nwite emphasised that the EFCC is legally empowered to investigate and recover suspected proceeds of unlawful activities regardless of whether a formal petition is received.
