Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the temporary forfeiture of properties worth N11,140,000,000 linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This order was granted after a motion ex parte was filed and argued by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the lawyer representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of purchasing these prime properties, located primarily in the highbrow areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, using the proceeds of fraud, and by proxy.
The EFCC also implicated three CBN staff members; Obayemi Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and Olubunmi Makinde as Emefiele’s accomplices. These individuals allegedly used their positions and influence to secure retail and special allocations of foreign exchange for various companies in exchange for kickbacks.
Justice Aneke directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a newspaper to allow any interested parties to come forward and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited. The case was adjourned to June 21 for the hearing on the motion for final forfeiture.
Previously, on May 25, 2024, Justice Yelim Bogoro of the same court had ordered the interim forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and several property assets linked to Emefiele.
The interim forfeited funds were held in accounts at First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, operated 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.
The interim forfeited properties included 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club Road) in Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1 on Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (a furniture plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos; Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Additionally, on May 29, another judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji, ordered the interim forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 allegedly linked to Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
