By Yusuf Olukokun
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has institutionally ordered the seizure of $4,719,054, N830,875,611 and other properties that are linked to Godwin Emefiele, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor.
Justice Yellim Bogoro issued this order on Thursday, May 23rd 2024; following the application filed by Bilikisu Buhari, Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel.
Justice Bogoro stated in her ruling that she found merit in the application and it was granted as requested.
“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspaper circulating all over the federation for anybody interested to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made. Case adjourned to July 2, for motion for final forfeiture”, she asserted.
According to reports, the monies forfeited to the Federal Government were said to be kept in First Bank, Titan Bank and Zenith Bank. It was also reported that the accounts were being operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Ltd and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
Emefiele’s properties that were forfeited to the Federal Government include: 94 Units of an 11-floor building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space, situate on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, 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, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot twin completed property in Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.
Additionally, other properties were also forfeited, and they include: a plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a property sited on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi, Lagos.
EFCC legally approached the court for the interim forfeiture under the Section 17 of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, which is under the jurisdiction of the court to pronounce.
The prayers of the Commission declared, “An interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An order directing the publication in any national newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before this honourable court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
