The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of properties worth over N11.14 billion and N1.04 billion belonging to the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele to the Federal Government.
Recall that Aneke on June 5, 2024, granted an interim Forfeiture following a motion by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo.
Oyedepo told the court that Emefiele was suspected of purchasing the choice properties by proxy using proceeds from fraud.
He also identified two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the application, the accomplices are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and former CBN staff Olubunmi Makinde, among others.
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The properties are primarily located in upscale areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the final forfeiture order after considering a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, represented by counsel Chineye Okezie on Friday.
After reviewing a 41-paragraph affidavit by EFCC Investigating Officer Michael John Idoko, along with 19 attached exhibits and a written address signed by Okezie, Justice Aneke granted the application for permanent forfeiture.
The judge said, “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows, that a final forfeiture order of this honourable 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 property included shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse.
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