A Federal High Court in the Centre of Excellence (Lagos) has ordered the temporary forfeiture of a property allegedly purchased with proceeds from a N986 million diesel fraud.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu gave the order on Friday, August 1, 2025, directing the interim forfeiture of a residential building located at No. 29 Oyindamola Shogbesan Street, Park View Estate, Ago Palace Way, Lagos.
The order followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, C. C. Okezie. The application was brought under Section 17 of the EFCC Act and Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, seeking to preserve the property pending the hearing of a motion for final forfeiture.
In her submission before the court, Okezie alleged that the property was acquired using funds obtained from a fraudulent diesel supply deal involving Mrs. Hannah Ify Nwaguzor, Ajayi Edward Olushola, and others.
The EFCC supported its request with an affidavit sworn by Waziri Abdullahi, one of its investigating officers. Abdullahi disclosed that the Commission received a petition from Prince Chukwulota Benneth Onuoha, along with two firms—G3 Solid Farms & Agro Allied Industries and Bohr Energy Limited—claiming they were defrauded in a diesel supply arrangement worth N986 million.
According to the petition, the complainants were introduced to Nwaguzor and Olushola in May 2024 by one Irene Abidemi. Believing their representations, Bohr Energy Limited transferred the money to Mozann Global Merchants Limited on May 14 and 15, 2024. The promised delivery of diesel was never fulfilled.
The EFCC traced N500 million from the total sum to Hola Jayu Nigeria Limited. Out of that amount, N261 million was allegedly paid to Orobosa Michael Ubogu for the purchase of the property.
“The said property, described in Schedule A of the application, was acquired with proceeds of the alleged fraud and not from any legitimate source of income,” the affidavit stated.
In a written address accompanying the motion, Okezie argued that the forfeiture was necessary to safeguard suspected proceeds of crime and urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.
Justice Dipeolu granted the interim forfeiture and ordered that the ruling be published in a national newspaper, inviting any interested party to appear before the court within 14 days and show cause why the property should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case was adjourned to September 2, 2025, for hearing of the motion for final forfeiture.
