The Court of Appeal in Lagos has reinstated an interim preservation order on 14 properties and N400 million allegedly linked to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
The decision was delivered on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, by a three-member panel of justices following an appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
What the ruling means
The reinstated order prevents the assets from being tampered with while legal proceedings are ongoing.
The properties, said to be located in Lagos, Abuja, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will remain under legal preservation until the court reaches a final decision.
The preservation order was originally issued by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on February 22, 2024, by Justice Nicholas Oweibo after the EFCC filed an ex parte application.
Justice Oweibo also directed that public notices be placed in two national newspapers to allow any interested parties to contest the forfeiture before it became final.
Bello’s defence and earlier court victory
Bello challenged the order, arguing that the listed properties were legitimately acquired before he became governor and thus not proceeds of crime.
He also invoked Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides sitting governors immunity from civil or criminal proceedings.
On April 26, 2025, the Federal High Court agreed with Bello and vacated the interim forfeiture order, temporarily lifting the restrictions on the properties.
EFCC pushes back, wins on appeal
Not satisfied with the ruling, the EFCC filed a motion for a stay of execution and pursued an appeal, which has now resulted in the appellate court restoring the original preservation order.
This means the disputed assets will remain frozen and protected from sale or transfer until the Court of Appeal delivers a final judgment on the case.
The ruling strengthens the EFCC’s legal footing as it pursues a broader investigation into alleged financial misconduct during Bello’s time in office.
Further hearings will determine whether the interim order will be made permanent or set aside.
