EFCC Faces Contempt Proceedings as Abuja Court Issues Form 48 Over Failure to Release 27 Seized Properties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is now facing potential contempt of court proceedings following a stern action by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court has officially issued a Form 48, a formal notice of consequence for disobedience of a court order, against the anti-graft agency.

This legal escalation comes after the EFCC failed to comply with a subsisting court judgement. The ruling specifically mandated the immediate release and restoration of 27 houses that were previously seized by the commission.

The court had determined that these assets were wrongfully designated as "proceeds of crime."

The issuance of the Form 48 is the first critical step toward initiating committal proceedings, which could lead to sanctions against the head or specific officers of the EFCC for their non-compliance with the binding judicial order.

Legal experts view this as a serious judicial reprimand, highlighting the necessity of respecting court pronouncements, especially concerning the rights of property owners.