The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday granted the Federal Government an order of interim forfeiture of properties valued at N11,140,000,000.00 linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order sequel to a motion filed and argued by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who led Bilkisu Buhari-Bala and Chineye Okezie in the proceedings.
Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of having bought the choice properties by proxy, with the proceeds of fraud
The EFCC named two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
The properties are mostly located in highbrow parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Justice Aneke also ordered the EFCC to publish the order in the ThisDay newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
The judge adjourned till the 21st of June for the hearing of the motion for final forfeiture.
This makes it the second time the court will order a forfeiture of assets linked to Emefiele.
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Justice Yellim Bogoro ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and several properties linked to Emefiele.
Details shortly…
