In a decisive move, the Federal High Court has ordered the interim forfeiture of $4.72 million, N830.88 million, and several multimillion-dollar properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. This order was issued by Justice Yellim Bogoro on Thursday, following an ex-parte motion argued by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chineye.
The forfeited funds, now under the custody of the Federal Government, were discovered in various bank accounts operated by 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 from Emefiele include:
- A 94-unit, 11-story building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.
- AM Plaza, an 11-story office space located at 1E Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.
- Imore Industrial Park 1 at Esa Street, Imoore Land, acquired through Deep Blue Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos.
- Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos.
- Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B, Lot Twin, completed properties in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Other notable assets 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.
- A property located at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC invoked Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court to secure the interim forfeiture order.
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