The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of N178,966,938, multiple landed properties and two vehicles linked to unlawful activities, transferring ownership to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice C.J. Aneke issued the order on Monday, February 9, 2026, after granting a motion on notice filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/1311/2025.
The court had earlier ordered an interim forfeiture of the assets and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited. That publication was duly made in The Punch on January 8, 2026.
Moving the application for final forfeiture, EFCC counsel Zeenat Atiku told the court that the motion was supported by an affidavit sworn to by Isah Yusuf Nadabo, an operative of the Commission.
According to the affidavit, investigations traced the funds and properties to Stanley Akaria Chinemerem, and they were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Among the forfeited assets is a fully detached six-bedroom duplex built on approximately 722.332 square metres at Nnabuenyi Street (formerly AMORC), within the Onigbanko Royal Family Land, Abule Oshun, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of two undeveloped parcels of land located at Onireke Town, opposite Ojo Barracks, also in Amuwo Odofin LGA. The plots measure 667.070 square metres and approximately 60 feet by 120 feet, respectively.
In addition, two vehicles were forfeited to the federal government: a black 2012 Toyota Highlander Jeep with registration number LND 401 JC, and a red 2018 Toyota Venza bearing plate number FCT 998 JX.
The EFCC had initially secured the interim forfeiture order on December 12, 2025. Despite personal service on the respondent and public notice in compliance with the court’s directive, no individual or corporate entity came forward to contest the forfeiture.
After reviewing the application and the evidence before the court, Justice Aneke held that the EFCC had established its case and accordingly ordered the final forfeiture of the cash, properties and vehicles to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s backing of the EFCC’s asset recovery mandate, particularly in cases where suspected proceeds of crime remain uncontested after due legal process.