The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.04 million and seven properties connected to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
On Thursday, Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the order following a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is investigating alleged fraud involving Emefiele.
The properties include high-value real estate in Lekki and Ikoyi, Lagos, as well as a large industrial complex under construction in Agbor, Delta State.
Justice Aluko noted that the interim forfeiture was necessary to prevent the potential loss of assets suspected to be acquired through illegal means.
“The properties listed in this application are reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities,” he stated.
The properties involved are two fully detached duplexes at 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; a 1,919.592 sqm undeveloped plot on Oyinkan Abayomi 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.
Additionally, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of two share certificates from Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust, a company allegedly linked to Emefiele.
EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who filed the request, argued that these assets were obtained through fraudulent activities.
“The money and properties in question are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. We urge the court to grant this application to prevent any further dissipation of these assets,” Oyedepo said.
Justice Aluko instructed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper and allowed 14 days for anyone with a claim to the funds and assets to appear in court to argue why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case has been adjourned to September 5, 2024, for further hearings.
Thursday’s order adds to a series of forfeiture decisions against Emefiele. On May 29, 2024, the court ordered the forfeiture of $1.4 million linked to Emefiele. Earlier in May, the EFCC also obtained forfeiture orders for $4.7 million, N830 million, and additional properties. A separate permanent forfeiture order was issued for choice properties valued at N12.18 billion.
