Court Orders Seizure of Properties and Funds Linked to Former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has mandated the interim confiscation of substantial funds and properties associated with Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro, follows an ex-parte application presented by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsels Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chineye.
The seized assets include $4,719,054 and N830,875,611 located in multiple bank accounts connected to Emefiele, alongside various individuals and entities such as 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.
List of Seized Properties:
- 94 units of an 11-storey building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club) Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
- AM Plaza, an 11-storey office located at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and 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.
- Two properties acquired from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.
- Twin Completed Property at Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
- 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.
- Property situated at 8, Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
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The EFCC claims these assets are “proceeds of unlawful activities” and is pursuing their permanent forfeiture to the Nigerian government. This action is based on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
Justice Bogoro’s order states: “An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.”
Additionally, the court has directed that the interim order be published in any national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to present their case within 14 days to prevent the final forfeiture of these properties and funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The case has been adjourned to July 2, 2024, for the motion for final forfeiture.
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