Lawyers representing Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac have escalated her dispute with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the international stage, filing formal human rights petitions with the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the United States Embassy, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress, the British High Commission, and the Canadian High Commission.
The petitions, obtained by Legit.ng on Tuesday, July 21, were filed by C.S.A. Oshomegie (SAN) of Oshomegie & Co. on behalf of Godwin-Isaac. They allege that EFCC operatives moved into her residence in Guzape, Abuja, on Monday, June 29, 2026, and have remained there ever since, in what her legal team describes as a serious violation of her fundamental rights.
EFCC accused of cutting utilities and blocking access
According to the complaints, Godwin-Isaac has been denied consistent access to water, electricity, cooking gas, food, and medical care during the occupation. Her lawyers also allege that her children and other family members have been displaced and that both relatives and legal counsel have been blocked from entering the property freely.
The petitions state that a worker at the residence allegedly collapsed after prolonged deprivation of food and water, raising what the lawyers describe as urgent humanitarian and health concerns.
Lawyers dispute legality of EFCC occupation
Godwin-Isaac's legal team argues that the interim ex parte forfeiture order the EFCC relied upon was granted on February 12, 2026, and lapsed after 14 days without being renewed. They contend that no valid, subsisting order currently authorises the commission's continued presence at the property, and that a pending forfeiture proceeding does not, on its own, permit physical occupation of a private residence without fresh judicial approval.
On July 3, 2026, the Federal High Court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the resolution of the main case. The lawyers say this order was served on and acknowledged by the EFCC but has not been fully complied with, as conditions inside the property have not returned to what they were before June 29.
Woman claims lawful ownership of property
Godwin-Isaac maintains she lawfully bought the land from Architect Richard Idakwogi John of Rychado Homes, paid for it, and built the family home using her own resources. Her lawyers stress that competing ownership claims over the property are already before the courts and should be settled through the judicial process, adding that Godwin-Isaac has not been convicted of any offence and that no court has issued a final ruling on who owns the property.
International bodies urged to intervene
In the petitions, Godwin-Isaac's lawyers urged the international bodies to closely monitor the situation, describing it as a matter requiring urgent attention. They also called on the EFCC to restore essential utilities to the property, allow unrestricted access for her family members and legal representatives, and vacate the residence unless it can produce a valid court order authorising its continued occupation.
