Court Orders Forfeiture Of Emefiele’s $4.9m, N830.9m, Properties

Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered a temporary forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054, N830,875,611 and several properties linked to a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to the federal government.

Justice Bogoro issued the order after entertaining an ex-parte application brought before him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through one of its lawyers, Bilkisu Buhari.

In her ruling, the judge held, “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.

“Case adjourned to July 2 for a motion for final forfeiture.”

The EFCC claimed that the forfeited funds are warehoused in First Bank Plc, Titan Bank and Zenith Bank Plc, and that they were 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.

The anti-graft agency also listed the properties as: 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.