Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has vacated an interim order granted in favor of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the property development company U.S. Homes Depot Development International Limited.
U.S. Homes Depot Development International Limited is the owner of Heartland Estate based in Owerri, Imo State.
The court also granted an order dismissing the interim forfeiture of the property as well as the suit, which involves Dr. Ngozika Nwaneri as an interested party.
The court had previously granted an interim order of attachment/forfeiture of 10 hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Depot Development International Limited in Heartland Estate, Owerri, Imo State.
The EFCC secured the order last year but did nothing further about the case.
The plaintiff, through its lawyer, Dr. Lilian Ojima, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/963/2023, prayed the court for an order vacating, discharging, and/or setting aside the interim attachment/forfeiture order granted by the court in respect of 10 hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Depot Development International Ltd in Heartland Estate, Owerri.
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The plaintiffs also sought an order vacating, discharging, and/or setting aside the order stopping any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale, alienation, or otherwise of the property/asset in respect of the 10 hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Depot Development International Ltd in Heartland Estate, Owerri.
They further prayed for an order vacating, discharging, and/or setting aside the order authorizing the EFCC to appoint a competent person/firm to manage the asset/property in respect of the 10 hectares of land purchased by U.S. Homes Depot Development International Ltd in Heartland Estate, Owerri.
After listening to the parties in the matter, Justice Lifu, in his ruling dated September 10, 2024, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, held that:
“Where the Court finds the evidence led by the Applicant reliable and believable and it is accepted as in the instant case, and the evidence supports the Applicant’s case, the Court will act on it in favor of the person so entitled.
“Going through the entire gamut of the instant Application, I hold that the Respondent (EFCC) has not justified the reason to enable the court to refuse the application of the Applicant.
“Consequently, I hold that the ex parte order of this Court granted on the 8th day of August 2024 is hereby set aside. Ruling is so entered,” Justice Lifu held.
and then