On Friday, May 24, 2024, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, issued an interim forfeiture order on $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and various properties connected to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This order followed an ex parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC, represented by counsel Bilikisu Buhari, requested the interim forfeiture under 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.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, announced this development in a statement on Friday. According to Oyewale, the EFCC’s motion sought:
- “An interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the funds held in the accounts listed in Schedule ‘A,’ which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
- An interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria properties listed in Schedule ‘B,’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.
- An order directing the publication of the interim order in any national newspaper, calling for interested parties to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the final forfeiture should not be made in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The funds, domiciled in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, are 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 properties under interim forfeiture
- 94 units of an 11-story building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos
- AM Plaza, an 11-story office space at 1E Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos
- Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos
- Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije), Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos
- Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B, Lot Twin Completed Property 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
- A property 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 at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
Justice Bogoro, upon reviewing the submission and supporting affidavit, adjourned the case to July 2, 2024, for the motion on final forfeiture.