Court Orders EFCC to Release Oil Marketer’s Cars

Susan/Yemisi

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release two exotic cars in its custody to the owner, Mr. Anthony Adejugbe.

The presiding judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, gave the order sequel to a motion on notice filed by Anthony Adejugbe and his company, Tonique Oil Services Limited, through their lawyer, Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN), seeking a court order directing the EFCC to release the vehicles-Toyota RAV4 with registration number JW 383 AAA and a Lexus SUV LX 570 marked TE 389 KJA in the custody of the commission. The commission took possession of the two vehicles following an interim order of forfeiture obtained from the Federal High Court on July 23, 2013.

The court had earlier granted the order of interim forfeiture on the ground that the applicants were facing a charge at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja. The court, presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu, had on November 13, 2017, discharged and acquitted Adejugbe and his company, Tonique Oil Services Limited, of any crime, therefore removing the basis for the continued seizure of the two cars.

Delivering ruling on the application seeking the release of the cars on 27th of April 2018, Justice Oguntoyinbo held that  though the court recognized the power

from being dissipated, however, such interim order of forfeiture should not last forever, adding that once the owner or owners of such properties are cleared of any guilt, their properties should be released to them by lifting such order of forfeiture.

The trial judge held that since the Lagos State High court has discharged and acquitted the applicants of any crime, there is no basis for the commission to hold on to the two vehicles, also, it did not file any application for stay of execution nor appeal the judgment of the court discharging the applicants.