The Nigeria Police Force has scored two major legal wins at the Federal High Court in Abuja, dealing a serious blow to financial criminals and reinforcing the country’s fight against fraud.
In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the permanent forfeiture of assets worth more than N2 billion tied to Alonge Opeyemi Yetunde, a financial sector employee, and her accomplices. The assets, spread across Lagos, Osun, Delta States, and the Federal Capital Territory, include bank accounts, digital wallets, vehicles, and prime real estate. Yetunde is currently held at the Suleja Correctional Custodial Centre, facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
The victory came through the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, with the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, confirming the court’s decision in a statement.
In a separate case just a day earlier, the court threw out a N100 million fundamental rights lawsuit filed by David Imole Averehi, a suspect based in the United States. Averehi had sued the Nigeria Police Force and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, INTERPOL, in an attempt to block his prosecution. Justice Bello Kawu ruled that the court cannot be used to shield individuals from lawful police duties or criminal prosecution, clearing the path for Averehi to face charges of obtaining money under false pretenses.
The Nigeria Police Force has vowed to intensify its use of international cooperation and legal frameworks to pursue financial crimes and protect the nation’s economic integrity.
