The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted media reports suggesting it defied a court order directing its operatives to vacate a property located at House 6, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, allegedly linked to Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Petroleum Minister.
In a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, its Head of Media and Publicity, the Commission described the claims as a misrepresentation of facts and an attempt to malign its reputation for upholding the rule of law.
According to the EFCC, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Musa Liman, had on March 27, 2025, granted the agency lawful possession of the said property.
The Commission said it obtained the order based on findings that the house was acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities by Alison-Madueke and had been formally forfeited to the Federal Government.
“It is imperative that the miscarriage of facts contained in the media reports are corrected to avail the public ungarnished truths about the matter,” the statement said, adding that the Commission is known for its “avowed respect for the rule of law.”
The controversy involves Chief Ikechi Emenike, a former tenant in the disputed property.
The EFCC clarified that although Emenike had a tenancy agreement with Alison-Madueke during the period when the house was under interim forfeiture, he was not, as claimed, paying rent to the EFCC for over a decade.
“It is untrue that he had been paying rent to the EFCC for over 10 years,” the Commission said.
The EFCC also dismissed claims that Emenike was granted the Right of First Refusal to purchase the property.
Citing Liman’s (Justice) ruling of April 18, 2024, the agency explained that Emenike was only to be considered for such a right if and when the EFCC decides to dispose of the property, a process which has not yet begun.
“The disposal is to be at the prevailing market price to be determined by the Commission, based on a detailed valuation by a reputable quantity surveyor.
“Till date, the Commission has not announced or indicated any readiness to dispose of the property,” the statement added.
The Commission further stressed that no contempt order had been served on its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or its legal counsel, Francis Usani.
It added that a stay of execution on the court’s earlier order was filed and has currently pending since June 16, 2025.
“The EFCC and its Chief Executive are law-abiding citizens,” the statement noted, dismissing insinuations of legal misconduct as unfounded.
