Emefiele moves to halt final forfeiture of properties to FG, as court hears application on Sept. 12

Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed Thursday, September 12, for hearing of all applications on the forfeited monies and properties linked to a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele.

Recall that Justice Akintayo Aluko had on August 15 ordered an interim forfeiture of a cash sum $2.045 million, and some landed properties linked to the embattled former CBN boss following an ex-parte application brought the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge had granted the forfeiture order, after taking the submission of EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), leading Chineye Okezie and Zeenat Atiku-Bala, who filed and moved the motion for the order.

Other properties ordered to be forfeited by the court include: two fully detached duplexes of identical structures, lying, being and situated at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped land, measuring 1919.592sqm with Survey Plan No. DS/LS/340 at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos and a four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi.

Others are an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; 8 units of an undetached apartment on a plot measuring 2457.60sqm at No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land measuring 2217.87sqm at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Justice Aluko had also ordered that two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust belonging to Emefiele be forfeited.

After granting the motion, the judge ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in a well-circulated national newspaper within 14 days, for any interested party to show cause and tell the court why the money and properties should not be finally forfeited.

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari-Bala appeared for the EFCC, while Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and A. Labi-Lawal appeared for Emefiele. Also, Mr. Chibuzor Opara announced his appearance for the occupants of 8a, Adekunle Lawal and No.8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mrs. Buhari-Bala informed the court that the matter was fixed for report of compliance with the orders made on August 15, 2024. She also informed the court that the EFCC had filed an affidavit showing that the order was published on August 28, 2024 in the Punch newspaper.

Buhari-Bala further informed the court that she had received two processes from Emefiele and that the applications were not ripe for hearing. She therefore asked the court for a short date, to enable her to respond to Emefiele’s applications.

Responding, Mr. Ojo informed the court that the processes filed on behalf of Emefiele was to stop further proceedings in the forfeiture suit. He stated that “the law says, where there is an application of such, the issue of final forfeiture should be stated”.

Ojo further informed the court that his client’s application, being an Interlocutory one, must be heard and determined before any further proceedings. He therefore urged the court to adjourn to Monday, to hear his client’s application.

However, Opara told the court that he was yet to have all processes filed in the matter, despite applying to court for search. He equally prayed for an adjournment to enable him file his clients’ processes.

Justice Dipeolu, after listening to counsel to all the parties, adjourned till September 12, for hearing of all applications.