The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again taken firm action, re-arresting the convicted Italian, Floriana De-Stefani, for contempt of court. This move comes as she allegedly failed to comply with a court order issued upon her conviction by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, released a statement on Friday in Abuja, shedding light on the details of the re-arrest. The initial conviction took place on October 7, 2022, when Justice Dada found De-Stefani guilty of utilizing false documents and counterfeit seals to assert ownership of a property that belonged to Waterside Properties Limited. This action constituted an offense under Section 366 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
During the judgment, Justice Dada sentenced De-Stefani to three years in prison and directed the release of the property located at 14 A&B Warring Road (formerly Bayo Kuku Road), Ikoyi, Lagos, to Waterside Properties Limited within three weeks.
Despite this court order, De-Stefani reportedly refused to vacate the property. Consequently, she was re-arrested on December 19, 2023. The EFCC, acting swiftly, issued a notice to De-Stefani, instructing her to vacate the property within seven days or face legal consequences.
De-Stefani, along with Stella Ndubuisi Ogboju, was initially arraigned on March 30, 2019, facing a five-count charge related to forgery and the theft of a property belonging to Waterside Properties Limited. The prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, later amended the charges to a six-count charge.
One of the amended charges specifically accused De-Stefani of dishonestly converting a property at No.14A/B Warring Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to Waterside Properties Limited for her use in 2015.
The EFCC’s prompt action in re-arresting De-Stefani underscores its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that court orders are duly followed. The legal proceedings surrounding this case continue to unfold, highlighting the agency’s determination to address financial crimes and enforce justice in a timely manner.
