The Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria, has issued an interim forfeiture order for a substantial sum of money and multiple properties associated with former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The order, made by Justice Yellim Bogoro on May 23, 2024, follows an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari.
Justice Bogoro stated, “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support. I find merit in the application and same is hereby granted as prayed.” The judge directed that the interim order be published in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to present their case before the court by July 2, 2024, to prevent a final forfeiture order.
The funds ordered for interim forfeiture include $4,719,054 and N830,875,611, held in various accounts at First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank. These accounts are operated by individuals and entities such as 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.
Additionally, the properties linked to Emefiele and subject to the interim forfeiture order include:
- 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.
- AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.
- Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land in Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos.
- Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse near Elemoro, Lagos.
- Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
- A plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa LGA.
- Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas.
- Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
- Property at 8, Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC sought the court’s intervention for the interim forfeiture under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction. The anti-graft agency requested the court to:
- Forfeit the funds in the specified accounts, suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities, to the Federal Government.
- Forfeit the properties listed in Schedule ‘B’ to the Federal Government.
- Publish the interim order in a national newspaper to notify interested parties to appear and show cause why the properties and funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The next court hearing for the motion for final forfeiture is scheduled for July 2, 2024.
