EMEFIELE FORFEITS $4.7M, OTHER PROPERTIES TO GOVT

A federal high court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The forfeiture order was granted by Justice Yellim Bogoro, who presided over the case. The funds, which are now forfeited to the federal government, were held in various bank accounts managed by individuals and entities, including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, and Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd.

The properties affected by the forfeiture order include:

-94 units of an 11-floor building_ under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos

– AM Plaza_, an 11-floor office space on Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos

– Imore Industrial Park 1_ on Esa Street, Imoore Land, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos

– Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse_ (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos

– Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria_, located in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos

– A plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme_, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA

– An estate at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive_, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services

– Land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street_, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

– A property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road_, Ikoyi, Lagos

Justice Bogoro held that all these properties and funds are proceeds of unlawful activities and are bound to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sought the forfeiture order, citing Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution.