Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The judge, who had earlier dismissed an application by an interested party seeking to halt the judgment, granted the final forfeiture application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala.
The forfeited funds, now under the federal government’s control, were held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by various individuals and entities, including 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.
The properties affected by the forfeiture 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.
In his judgment, Justice Bogoro ruled that these properties and funds were proceeds of unlawful activities and, therefore, must be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The judge stated, “I find that the activities of the respondents were unlawful. Why did they suddenly have issues with dollars immediately after Godwin Emefiele left the CBN as Governor and salaries could no longer be paid?
“I hold that these are not legitimate business activities.”
“I also find that Anita Omoile is a close associate of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who was given undue influence to unlawfully divert dollars from the CBN.”
“Consequently, I declare that all the monies and properties listed in the schedule are hereby permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
The EFCC, through its counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution in its application. The commission initially sought an interim forfeiture, arguing that the funds and properties were suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Bogoro, finding merit in the EFCC’s application, granted the interim forfeiture and ordered the publication of the ruling in a national newspaper.
Following the failure of the defendants or any other party to prove the legitimacy of the funds, the judge issued a final forfeiture order, making the seizure permanent.
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