By Abigail Philip David
The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a final order for the permanent forfeiture of a warehouse and 54 steel containers situated on a 1.925-hectare plot along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, Ogun State, to the Federal Government.
The property has been linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu delivered the ruling on Thursday following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The application sought the permanent forfeiture of the property after no individual or organisation stepped forward to claim ownership.
Background
During a prior sitting on November 28, 2024, the court had issued an interim forfeiture order for the assets. The EFCC was instructed to publicise the order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties an opportunity to contest the forfeiture.
At Thursday’s hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the directive had been followed. He then requested a final forfeiture order under Section 44(2)(B) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Oyedepo argued that the property was suspected to have been acquired with proceeds from unlawful activities and should therefore be permanently transferred to the Federal Government.
Court’s Decision
After reviewing the EFCC’s application and supporting documents, Justice Dipeolu granted the request, ordering the permanent forfeiture of the warehouse and steel containers to the government.
The ruling is part of ongoing efforts to recover assets suspected to have been acquired through illicit means.
