The Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated the temporary forfeiture of $4,719,054, ₦830,875,611, and various properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the order following a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by lawyer Bilkisu Buhari.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro stated: “After reviewing the submission and supporting affidavit, I find merit in the application. It is hereby granted as requested. The order should be published in a nationwide newspaper, allowing interested parties to contest the final forfeiture. The case is adjourned to July 2 for the final forfeiture hearing.”
The interim forfeiture involves funds held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by 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.
Emefiele’s properties now under government control include a 94-unit, 11-floor building under construction at Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space on Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land in Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and two properties in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos purchased from Chevron Nigeria’s Closed PFA Fund.
Additional properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate, Block A, Plot 4; an estate at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at Bunmi Owulude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and property on Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC’s court request was made under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act of 2006 and Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution. They sought an interim order for the forfeiture of funds and properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and requested the publication of the interim order to allow interested parties to present their case before the final forfeiture decision
