Emefiele is obviously facing the wrath of the federal government, as it is not willing to let the ex-CBN governor off the hook so easily.
The Federal High Court is sitting in Lagos on Fridayordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government properties valued at over ₦11.14bn and another ₦1.04 billion linked to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The order of permanent forfeiture was made by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke after hearing an application filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, Chineye Okezie.
On June 5, 2024, the judge upheld the anti-graft agency’s motion filed and argued by its counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, for a temporary forfeiture of the properties.
According to Oyedepo’s submission in court, Emefiele was suspected of having bought the choice properties by proxy with the proceeds of fraud.
EFCC Names Accomplices
The EFCC named two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the application, the trio are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo, working with Olubunmi Makinde, a former CBN staff member, and others.
However, the properties are mostly located in high-brow parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Justice Aneke ordered the EFCC to publish the order for interim forfeiture in a national newspaper for any interested party to show why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
Emefiele In More Trouble
Also, the judge adjourned for a hearing of the application for final forfeiture.
However, upon resumption on June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the judge’s interim order, and Chineye Okezie moved her application for permanent forfeiture.
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After reading a 41-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an EFCC Investigating Officer, Michael John Idoko, the 19 exhibits attached, a written address signed by Okezie, and after hearing Okezie’s motion, Justice Aneke granted the application.
The properties were listed by the EFCC in two schedules A and B.
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