The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled Thursday, September 12, 2024, for the hearing of all applications related to the permanent forfeiture of assets and funds connected to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu adjourned the case after hearing submissions from the legal representatives of the parties involved.
Bilikisu Buhari-Bala represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared on behalf of Emefiele. Another lawyer, Chibuzor Opara, represented the occupants of one of the properties in question, located at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Buhari-Bala, the EFCC’s counsel, informed the court that the hearing was to review compliance with an earlier interim forfeiture order issued on August 15, 2024, by Justice Akintayo Aluko.
The court had ordered the temporary forfeiture of $2.045 million and several properties linked to Emefiele, pending a final ruling.
In compliance with the court order, the EFCC published the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper on August 28, 2024, allowing interested parties to submit objections. Buhari-Bala, representing the EFCC, informed the court that two applications had been received from Emefiele’s legal team, but they were not ready for hearing. She requested a brief adjournment to prepare a response.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), stated that his client had filed applications to stay further proceedings, which should take priority. He requested that the hearing be postponed until September 9 for this reason.
Meanwhile, Opara, representing the occupants of the Ikoyi property, requested more time to file his clients’ legal processes.
After hearing all the arguments, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to September 12, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications.
The case involves assets placed under interim forfeiture, including properties in Ikoyi, Lekki, and Delta State, as well as two share certificates from Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust linked to Emefiele. The EFCC was ordered to publish the interim forfeiture notice to allow interested parties to contest the forfeiture.
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