Alleged Corruption: Emefiele forfeits $4.7m, N830m, several properties to Nigerian Government

*Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission discloses ex-Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele’s monies, besides several other properties as ‘proceeds of unlawful activities’ forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim were warehoused in First Bank, Titan Bank and Zenith Bank, and operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Limited; Lipam Investment Services Limited, and three other companies

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the trial continues, the Federal High Court sitting, in Lagos, Nigeria, has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and several properties linked to Mr. Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Justice Yellim Bogoro handed down the order Thursday, May 23, 2024, following an ex-parte application by Bilkisu Buhari, Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was gathered after the EFCC Counsel’s presentation, Justice Bogoro in her ruling said: “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 is hereby granted as prayed.

“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspaper circulating all over the federation for anybody interested to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made. Case adjourned to July 2, for motion for final forfeiture.”

The monies forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim were said to be warehoused in First Bank; Titan Bank and Zenith Bank, being 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.

His properties forfeited to the Federal Government includes 94 Units of an 11-floor building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space, situate on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos.

Others are Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot twin completed property in Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.

Still 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 situated on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi, Lagos.

The EFCC had approached the court for an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties, under 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.

The anti-graft also specifically, prayed the court for the following; “An interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the funds warehoused in the accounts particularized 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 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.”