A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.04 million and seven properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The order was made by Justice Akintayo Aluko, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The properties, located in Lekki and Ikoyi, Lagos, and Agbor, Delta State, are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. They include two fully detached duplexes, a 1,919.592 sqm undeveloped land, a bungalow, a four-bedroom duplex, an industrial complex, eight apartments, and a full duplex.
Justice Aluko stated that the interim forfeiture was necessary to prevent the dissipation of the assets suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. “The properties listed in this application are reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities,” he said.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Emefiele allegedly negotiated kickbacks in exchange for foreign exchange allocations to companies. An investigator, Idi Musa, claimed that the properties were acquired through shell companies linked to Emefiele, with the sole purpose of laundering money.
The court directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and gave 14 days for anyone with an interest in the funds and assets to appear in court to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case has been adjourned to September 5, 2024, for further hearing. This is the latest in a series of forfeiture orders obtained by the EFCC against Emefiele, who faces multiple corruption charges. Previous orders include the forfeiture of $1.4 million, $4.7 million, N830 million, and properties linked to Emefiele, as well as a permanent forfeiture order on choice properties worth N12.18 billion.
