Emefiele is facing criminal charges in Abuja and Lagos over alleged fraud, abuse of office among other charges.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered a temporary forfeiture of several properties, $4,719,054 and N830,875,611 belonging to the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
Justice Yellim Bogoro gave the order on Friday, May 24, 2024, after entertaining an ex-parte application brought before him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through one of its lawyers, Bilkisu Buhari.
The EFCC alleged that the forfeited funds are being held in First Bank Plc, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank Plc, and that they are being 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.
Listed as the properties of the former CBN boss are 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, situated 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.
Others include one 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 Situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.
The EFCC had urged the court for an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the application just moved, together with the affidavit in support.
“I find merit in the application and the same is granted as prayed.
“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,” the judge stated before adjourning the case to July 2 for a motion for final forfeiture.
Emefiele is facing criminal charges in Abuja and Lagos over alleged fraud, abuse of office among other charges.