On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the Federal Government an order of interim forfeiture for property valued at N11,140,000,000.00 linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Presiding Judge Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the order following a motion filed by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele allegedly purchased the properties, located in upscale areas of Abuja, through proxies using proceeds of fraud.
The EFCC’s counsel identified a former and two current CBN staff members as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
Justice Aneke ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in ThisDay newspaper to allow any interested party to contest the final forfeiture. The judge adjourned the hearing for the final forfeiture motion to June 21.
Previously, on May 30, 2024, another Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the interim forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 linked to Emefiele. Justice Ayokunle Faji directed the EFCC to publish the order, requiring any interested parties to appear within 14 days to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. This order followed an ex parte application moved by EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, who argued that the funds were suspected to be proceeds from Emefiele's unlawful activities. Emefiele is currently facing three criminal trials.
