By Kamal Yalwa: August 1, 2025
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of a property located at No. 29 Oyindamola Shogbesan Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, over its alleged link to a ₦986 million diesel supply fraud.
The order followed a motion ex-parte filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Chineye Okezie.
According to the EFCC, the property was allegedly acquired using proceeds from a fraudulent Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) transaction involving Hannah Ify Nwaguzor, Ajayi Edward Olushola, and others. The commission said it received a petition from Chukwulota Benneth Onuoha and two companies—G3 Solid Farms & Agro Allied Industries and Bohr Energy Ltd—claiming they were defrauded in a diesel supply deal.
The petitioners alleged that they were introduced to the suspects in May 2024 by one Irene Abidemi, after which Bohr Energy Ltd transferred ₦986 million to Mozann Global Merchants Ltd. However, no diesel was delivered, and the funds were allegedly diverted.
Investigations revealed that ₦500 million was traced to Hola Jayu Nigeria Ltd, from which ₦261 million was allegedly paid to Orobosa Michael Ubogu for the purchase of the said property.
The EFCC stated that the funds used to acquire the property are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, in contravention of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
In its submission, the EFCC argued that interim forfeiture is a preventive measure to preserve suspected proceeds of crime, citing the Supreme Court decision in Dame Patience Jonathan v. FRN, which established that a conviction is not required under Section 17 of the Act to grant such an order.
An affidavit by EFCC investigator Waziri Abdullahi supported the motion, asserting that the property was not acquired from legitimate income.
Justice Dipeolu granted the interim forfeiture and directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested party to show cause within 14 days why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The matter was adjourned to September 2, 2025, for hearing on the motion for final forfeiture.
