A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the order on Thursday, May 23, 2024, following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari.
The forfeited funds were reportedly held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by individuals and entities including 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.
Properties affected by the interim forfeiture include an 11-floor building under construction in Ikoyi, AM Plaza in Lekki, Imore Industrial Park in Amuwo Odofin, Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse near Elemoro, and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria located in Lakes Estate, Lekki. Additional properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, an estate in Texas, land in Lekki Phase 1, and a property in Ikoyi.
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The EFCC cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution in its application, seeking the interim forfeiture on the grounds that the funds and properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Bogoro, finding merit in the EFCC’s application, ordered the interim forfeiture and mandated the publication of the order in a national newspaper. This notice invites interested parties to show cause within 14 days why a final forfeiture order should not be granted. The case is adjourned to July 2 for the motion for final forfeiture.
“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspaper circulating all over the federation for anybody interested to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made,” Justice Bogoro stated.