The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.04 million and seven properties linked to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is investigating alleged fraudulent activities involving Emefiele.
The properties include two fully detached duplexes at 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; a 1,919.592 sqm undeveloped land on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive) in Ikoyi; a bungalow at 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi; a four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi; an industrial complex on 22 plots in Agbor, Delta State; eight apartments on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi; and a full duplex at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi.
Justice Aluko emphasized the interim forfeiture was necessary to prevent the dissipation of assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust, a company allegedly linked to Emefiele.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who filed the application in suit FHC/L/MISC/500/24, argued that the assets were obtained through fraudulent means. Justice Aluko, after granting the interim forfeiture order, directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper and gave 14 days for anyone with an interest in the funds and properties to appear in court to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government. The case is adjourned to September 5, 2024, for further hearing.
This latest order follows previous forfeiture orders involving Emefiele. On May 29, 2024, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the forfeiture of $1.4 million linked to Emefiele. Earlier, on May 23, the EFCC obtained forfeiture orders on $4.7 million, N830 million, and other properties connected to him.
There was also a separate permanent forfeiture order for properties worth N12.18 billion from Emefiele.