The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to appeal a ruling by Justice Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court in Bayelsa State, which implicates its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. The court order suggests that Olukoyede risks imprisonment for allegedly disobeying a ruling related to a case filed by Bliss Multinational Perfection and the CEO of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Oyinmiebi Bribena.

Justice Dashen had declared the EFCC’s seizure and sealing of properties belonging to the company and Bribena as unlawful, asserting that the assets were not proceeds of crime. However, the EFCC, in a statement issued by its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, expressed surprise at the ruling, stating that the Commission had not been informed of the judgement date.

Oyewale further explained that the lack of notification had denied the EFCC a fair hearing, and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the rule of law, stating that it does not wilfully violate court orders. The Commission plans to appeal the ruling within the allowed timeframe and noted that a similar case involving the same defendants is already under appeal in Port Harcourt. The defendants were previously investigated for investment fraud, involving over N2 billion and affecting more than 123 victims.