The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $4,719,054, ₦830,875,611, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro issued the order on Thursday, May 23, 2024, following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Bilkisu Buhari.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro stated: “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and reviewed the motion presented, along with the supporting affidavit. I find merit in the application and hereby grant the order as requested. The applicant should publish this order in a national newspaper, allowing anyone interested to present reasons why a final forfeiture order should not be made. The case is adjourned to July 2 for the motion for final forfeiture.”
The forfeited funds, held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, are associated with entities including 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 seized include 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club Road) in Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space at 1E Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1 on 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; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, in the Closed PFA Fund, Block B, Lot twin completed property in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Additional properties include a plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa LGA; an estate located at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC invoked Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 14 of 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court to seek the interim forfeiture of the funds and properties.
