The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of properties valued at over N12.18 billion, linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the permanent forfeiture order on Friday after hearing an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Chineye Okezie.
On June 5, 2024, the judge had granted an initial temporary forfeiture order following a motion filed by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Oyedepo argued that Emefiele is suspected of purchasing the properties through proxies using proceeds from fraudulent activities during his tenure as CBN governor.
The EFCC identified two current and one former CBN staff as accomplices in the alleged fraud. The accomplices named in the EFCC’s supporting affidavit are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo, both current CBN employees, and Olubunmi Makinde, a former CBN staff member.
In his ruling, Justice Aneke stated, “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: that a final forfeiture order of this honorable court is hereby made, forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein, which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The properties in question are primarily located in upscale areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
