EFCC reclaims Yahaya Bello properties after Court of Appeal reverses immunity-based ruling. The court says suspected crime assets aren’t shielded by constitutional immunity

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has scored a major legal victory as the Court of Appeal in Lagos reinstated the interim forfeiture order on 14 properties allegedly linked to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Also read: EFCC files fresh N110bn fraud charges against Yahaya Bello

This development marks a significant turning point in the agency’s ongoing efforts to trace and recover assets suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision, overruled the Federal High Court’s earlier judgment, which had struck out the case based on constitutional immunity provisions.

Justice Yargata Nimpar, delivering the lead judgment, clarified that Section 308 of the Constitution protects sitting governors not their properties especially if such assets are linked to unlawful activity.

She emphasized that immunity doesn’t shield property suspected to be criminal in origin.

The court ordered the restoration of the forfeiture order, empowering the EFCC to proceed with the final forfeiture hearing.

The properties, located in Lagos, Abuja, and Dubai including an apartment in the iconic Burj Khalifa are under scrutiny.

The EFCC had previously obtained the interim forfeiture order through an ex parte application, which included a directive to publish public notices inviting any claimants to contest the forfeiture.

Yahaya Bello, in response, claimed the assets were acquired before his tenure as governor, and that EFCC’s actions violated his immunity rights.

His legal team also questioned jurisdiction, arguing that the Federal High Court in Lagos lacked authority over properties situated outside Lagos.

Despite those claims, the Appeal Court held that criminal proceeds laws override procedural technicalities, especially when public interest is at stake.

EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), hailed the ruling, reaffirming that no valid court order exists to prevent the agency from executing its mandate.

He also revealed an ongoing effort to recover an additional ₦400 million tied to the same case.

Also read: Witness reveals how ₦1bn left Kogi govt account in days during Yahaya Bello’s tenure

This ruling not only allows the EFCC to pursue permanent forfeiture but also sends a strong message on the limits of immunity when it comes to anti-corruption enforcement.