A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim forfeiture of funds and properties linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The court’s decision, made by Justice Yellim Bogoro, was based on an ex-parte motion filed by EFCC representatives Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chineye.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) argued that the funds, totaling N830,875,611 and $4,719,054, were held in various bank accounts associated with individuals and entities such as Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
The properties ordered for forfeiture include a 94-unit, 11-storey building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club Road) in Ikoyi, Lagos; and the AM Plaza, an 11-storey office space located at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.
Other properties include the Imore Industrial Park 1 on Esa Street, Imoore Land (Deep Blue Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos), and the Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos in Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos.
Additional seized properties are two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B, Lot Twin Completed Property Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
The court also ordered the seizure of a plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa LGA; a property at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, US, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property located at 8, Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC sought the forfeiture under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, arguing that the funds and properties were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The anti-graft agency requested an interim order to forfeit the listed funds and properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria and for the order to be published in a national newspaper, allowing interested parties to contest the forfeiture within 14 days.
Justice Bogoro, after considering the EFCC’s motion and supporting affidavit, granted the interim forfeiture and adjourned the case to July 2, 2024, for the hearing on the motion for final forfeiture.
Emefiele is facing multiple court trials for alleged abuse of office and fraud amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion during his tenure.
