Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac wins as court orders EFCC to pay ₦2m for unlawful account freeze

Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac and Homadil Realty Limited have secured an important courtroom victory after the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory found that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission unlawfully restricted the company’s bank account.

Delivering judgment on 23 April 2026, Justice M. A. Hassan held that the EFCC exceeded its lawful powers by directing Zenith Bank to continue restricting Homadil Realty’s account without first obtaining the required court order.

The matter was decided in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/830/2025.

The court found that the EFCC could only impose an initial restriction for a limited period and that any continued restriction required judicial authorisation. The Commission instead issued further letters directing that the account remain under a post no debit restriction.

Justice Hassan described the continued restriction as a blatant violation of Homadil Realty’s constitutional right to property and reminded law enforcement agencies that Nigeria is governed by democratic principles and the rule of law.

The judgment affirmed that every institution must exercise its powers within the limits established by law.

The ruling assumes even greater significance because the EFCC told the court that its investigation originated from a petition submitted on behalf of Colleen Mero Yesufu concerning Plot 4022 in Guzape and Plots 1861 and 1862 in Katampe. Rebecca’s cross petition has since questioned the roles allegedly played by Colleen Mero Yesufu, Richard John Idakwogi of Rychado Homes Ltd and Samuel I. Chime. When the unlawful freezing of Homadil Realty’s account is considered alongside the repeated criminal, forfeiture and property actions arising from the same dispute, it creates the troubling appearance of a sustained campaign against Rebecca and her company rather than the balanced investigation expected from the EFCC.

The court consequently ordered the EFCC to pay Homadil Realty Limited ₦2 million for gross abuse of power. The Bank was separately ordered to pay the company another ₦2 million for acting on the unlawful directives, bringing the total compensation awarded to ₦4 million.

The judgment is a welcome victory for Rebecca and Homadil Realty and a reassuring reminder that the courts remain a place where rights can be protected and unlawful actions corrected. Rebecca remained composed, trusted the legal process and received a clear judicial affirmation that no institution is above the law.