The Federal High Court in Lagos granted the Federal Government an interim forfeiture order for properties valued at N11,140,000,000.00 allegedly linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Presiding Judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, issued the order after a motion was presented and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
Oyedepo informed the court of suspicions that Emefiele acquired the properties, primarily situated in upscale areas of Abuja, through proxies using proceeds from fraudulent activities. The EFCC also identified a former CBN staff member and two current employees as alleged accomplices in the fraud.
Justice Aneke directed the EFCC to publish the order in ThisDay newspaper to allow any interested party to contest the final forfeiture order. The court scheduled a hearing for June 21 to consider the motion for final forfeiture.
This development follows a previous interim forfeiture order of $1,426,175.14 linked to Emefiele, issued by another Federal High Court in Lagos on May 30, 2024. Justice Ayokunle Faji instructed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper and gave interested parties 14 days to contest the permanent forfeiture of the funds. The order stemmed from an ex parte application presented by EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, who alleged that the funds were suspected proceeds of Emefiele’s unlawful activities, as he faces three criminal trials.
