The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of properties worth over N12.18 billion linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the permanent forfeiture order on Friday after hearing an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Chineye Okezie.
Previously, on June 5, 2024, the judge had granted the EFCC's motion for a temporary forfeiture of the properties, presented by counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Oyedepo argued that Emefiele allegedly acquired the properties through proxies using proceeds from fraudulent activities during his tenure as CBN governor.
The EFCC identified two current CBN staff, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo, along with a former CBN staff member, Olubunmi Makinde, as accomplices in the alleged fraud.
In his ruling, Justice Aneke stated, “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honorable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The forfeited properties are primarily located in upscale areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
No comments:
Post a Comment