“EFCC Boss Faces Possible Imprisonment for Alleged Contempt of Court”

A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has warned Olanipekun Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), that he faces potential imprisonment for allegedly defying its orders. This follows a legal dispute involving Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Arch Oyinmiebi Bribena, CEO of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

In the ruling for suit number FHC/YNG/CS/125/2022, Justice Isa H. Dashen had issued a permanent injunction against the EFCC, prohibiting it from seizing or otherwise interfering with properties owned by Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Bribena that are not linked to any criminal activity. The court also declared the EFCC’s prior actions—seizing and sealing properties and instructing Bribena’s banks to freeze his accounts—as unlawful.

Additionally, the court prohibited the EFCC from “inviting, harassing, arresting, detaining, threatening to arrest, or detaining the Plaintiffs” over civil disputes related to Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited or its registered business activities. The EFCC was also ordered to pay N10,000,000 in exemplary damages for the wrongful seizure and attachment of properties.

Despite this ruling, it has been alleged that the EFCC, particularly its Port Harcourt zonal office, has continued to defy the court order. Reports suggest that the commission engaged an estate valuer to assess and rent out the disputed properties belonging to Bliss Multinational Perfection Limited and Bribena.

In response to these allegations, the court issued a “Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order” to Olukoyede. The notice warns that failure to comply with the court’s directives could result in contempt of court charges and potential imprisonment. This action reflects the court’s serious stance on enforcing its orders and holding the EFCC accountable for its alleged non-compliance.