Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce Abuja-based estate agent, Rebecca Omokamo, in court for the continuation of her trial over alleged land fraud, forgery and money laundering.
The judge gave the order after the defendant failed to appear in court when her criminal trial resumed.
Omokamo is standing trial alongside Homadil Realty Limited, Idakwogi Richard John and Rychado Homes Limited over allegations bordering on land fraud, forgery and money laundering.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the first defendant, Christopher Oshomeghie (SAN), told the court that his client could not attend proceedings because EFCC operatives had allegedly laid siege to her residence for 23 consecutive days.
According to the senior lawyer, the development had forced Omokamo to remain indoors out of fear for her safety.
He also informed the court that the prolonged situation had adversely affected her health.
However, counsel to the EFCC, Benedict Ubi, disagreed with the claim, arguing that the defendant had placed herself under what he described as a “self-imposed house arrest” following an interim forfeiture order on the disputed property.
The prosecutor alleged that Omokamo had frustrated efforts by EFCC officials to enforce the court order and also breached the conditions of her administrative bail by allegedly travelling outside the court’s jurisdiction on several occasions.
Responding to the defence, Oshomeghie maintained that heavily armed EFCC operatives had effectively taken over his client’s property, leaving her trapped inside for almost a month.
But Ubi insisted that the defendant was not being confined by EFCC officials.
According to him, Omokamo remained in possession of the keys to the apartment and voluntarily chose to lock herself indoors.
Following the submissions, Justice Abdulmalik directed the EFCC to produce the defendant before the court and ordered that she be kept in the custody of the anti-graft agency until Thursday, July 23, 2026, when the trial will continue.
Of the four defendants in the criminal case, only the third defendant, Idakwogi Richard John, Chief Executive Officer of Rychado Homes Limited, was present in court.
Earlier during proceedings in a related civil suit filed by the EFCC, the judge cautioned defence counsel, Oshomeghie, after he sought clarification on an earlier court order directing parties to maintain the status quo over the disputed Guzape property.
The senior lawyer had complained that EFCC operatives continued to occupy the property despite the court’s directive, thereby preventing his client from leaving the premises.
Reacting, Justice Abdulmalik remarked: “When I make an order, I go to sleep,” adding that counsel should not attempt to interpret or speculate on the court’s intention.
The court also heard that there is a pending application by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the disputed property, as well as another application by an interested party seeking to join the suit.
The judge held that the application for joinder would take precedence and adjourned the civil matter until October 15, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications.
