The Federal High Court, sitting at Court 10, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, thrown out the forfeiture ordersmade against a Lagos-based private school, Goodwill Private Schools Ltd, Ikorodu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had unlawfully and illegally obtained interim and final forfeiture orders against the school, sometimes in October 2024 and January 21, 2025.
However, Hon. Justice A. O. Owoeye held that the facts placed before the court by the EFCC to obtain the Interim Order of forfeiture did not indicate that the property is a proceed of unlawful activity.
The court further held that owners of Goodwill Private Schools Ltd, Ikorodu have shown that the money used for the construction of the property was legitimate
Justice Owoeye also held that the final forfeiture order was made contrary to the provision of Section 17(4) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006.
His Lordship therefore set aside both the Interim and Final forfeiture orders made against Goodwill Private Schools Ltd.
The owners of Goodwill Private Schools had, with video evidence, last March, accused the anti-graft agency and its operatives of illegal and forceful takeover of the school.
The anti-graft agency allegedly committed the act at Goodwill Private Schools, Ikorodu, Lagos, on Thursday, 27 February, despite the pendency of a suit between the school and the Commission, and in spite of an assurance by the Court that it will dare not do such.
Counsel to the private school, Dr Benson Enikuomehin of Benson Enikuomehin & Co (Shalom Chambers), made the allegation in a letter dated 27 February, 2025 and addressed to the Registrar, Court 10, Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The letter was captioned “Re: Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/702/2024 Between Pastor Sunday Omoniyi Enikuomehin & I OR And Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)- Invasion Of Goodwill Private Schools, Ikorodu, Lagos On The 27th Day Of February, 2025.”
Counsel to EFCC, Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa Esq., of 15A, Awolowo Way, Ikoyi, Lagos was copied in the letter signed by the Head of Chambers, Lola Omoyele Esq.
Dr Enikuomehin reminded the Registrar that the suit came before Justice A. O. Owoeye on 5 February, 2025 in which he (Enikuomehin) represented the parties whose interest are affected in the suit, while Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa Esq appeared for the Commission.
Enikuomehin had contended that the Defendant (EFCC) would take adverse steps to tamper with the Res (matter), while the suit is pending before the court.
He stated that the Court had assured that none of such thing would happen, particularly that the Commission was represented in court by Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa Esq.
Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa Esq was also said to have concurred with the court that the EFCC will not do anything untoward about the Res until the matter would be heard.
The counsel to the anti-graft agency thereafter sought for a long adjournment for which the matter was adjourned till 7 April, 2025.
However, and despite all assurances, “EFCC (as anticipated) has been going to Goodwill Private Schools’ property in Ikorodu at awkward times to serve a purported document.
“The climax of their action came today (Thursday) when they invaded the school with armed men while the students were in their various classrooms.
“There was pandemonium everywhere and the disruption of academic work. The chaos affected the neighbourhood and sent everyone running helter skelter.
“The action taken by EFCC today the 27th day of February, 2025 runs foul of the undertaking given by Hannatu Umar Kofarnaisa Esq before His Lordship,” Enikuomehin had then stated in the letter.
Attached with the letter were photographic and recorded video evidence of the alleged onslaught of operatives of the Commission on Goodwill Private Schools at Ikorodu.
As seen in the videos, teachers and other staff of the school were harassed, just as one of the students was being revived by her colleagues after inhaling a chemical substance allegedly sprayed by the EFCC operatives.
