Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and various properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to the Federal Government.
The order came after an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by lawyer Bilkisu Buhari.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro stated, “I have listened to the applicant’s counsel and reviewed the application and supporting affidavit. I find merit in the application and grant the requested order. The applicant should publish this order in a national newspaper, allowing anyone interested to show cause why a final forfeiture order should not be made. The case is adjourned to July 2 for a motion for final forfeiture.”
The EFCC revealed that the forfeited funds are held in First Bank Plc, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank Plc accounts operated by Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
The properties listed for forfeiture include:
– 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.
– AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.
– Imore Industrial Park at Esa Street, Imoore Land, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos.
– Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos.
– Two properties in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos purchased from Chevron Nigeria.
– One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa LGA.
– A property at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services.
– Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
– A property at 8, Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC requested the court’s interim forfeiture order under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction, suspecting the funds to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The agency also sought an order directing the publication of the interim forfeiture for interested parties to show cause within 14 days why the final order should not be made in favor of the Federal Government.
Emefiele faces criminal charges in Abuja and Lagos for alleged fraud and abuse of office. He and his co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile, were arraigned by the EFCC on April 8, 2024, on 26 counts of alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud. Emefiele is also on trial at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja for similar charges.
