By Joel Okwara
AFederal High Court sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054 million, N830,875,611 million, and several properties linked to the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro made the order on Thursday, May 23, 2024, following an ex-parte argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C Chineye.
“I find merit in the application and same hereby granted as prayed,” Justice Bogoro ruled. “The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspapers circulating all over the federation for anybody, who is interested, to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.”
The monies forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim, were said to be warehoused in some banks 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.
Emefiele’s properties forfeited to the federal government include, 94 Units of 11 storey building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi, 2nd Avenue (formerly Club) Road, IKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11 story office space, situate on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and 2 properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot. twin completed property, Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Others include, One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a Property situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi, Lagos.
As reported by The Nation on Friday, Monday 24, the EFCC had approached the court for an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties, pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud (and Other Fraud Related Offence) Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
Specifically, the anti-graft agency asked the court for the followings: “An Interim Order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the funds warehoused in the accounts particularised in Schedule ‘A’ which funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An Order directing the publication in any National Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone who is interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited, to appear before this Honourable Court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In granting the ex-parte motion, Justice Bogoro, after he had taken submission of the EFCC’s counsel, held that: “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support. I find merit in the application and same hereby granted as prayed.”
The case was adjourned to July 2, 2024, for motion for final forfeiture.
