Emefiele Fights Forfeiture of $2.4m, Lagos and Delta Assets in Court
Embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed applications to challenge the court-ordered forfeiture of his assets to the Federal Government. Since his removal from office, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured multiple interim forfeiture orders for funds and properties linked to Emefiele.
The latest court order, granted on August 12, 2024, by Justice Akintayo Aluko, included the forfeiture of $2.045 million and several properties in Lagos and Delta States. These assets include duplexes in Lekki and Ikoyi, a large undeveloped plot in Ikoyi, a construction complex in Agbor, and apartments on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi. Two share certificates from Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust were also included in the forfeiture.
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During the latest court session, EFCC counsel Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari-Bala confirmed that the forfeiture notice was published as required on August 28, 2024, in *The Punch* newspaper. However, she acknowledged that Emefiele’s legal team had submitted two applications contesting the forfeiture but were not yet ready for hearing.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to prioritize the interlocutory application seeking to stop further forfeiture proceedings. He argued that the application must be heard before any final forfeiture decisions are made. Additionally, Chibuzor Opara, representing tenants of one of the seized properties, requested more time to file his clients’ responses.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu adjourned the case until September 12, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications.
Source: Punch
https://punchng.com/emefiele-tackles-efcc-over-2-4m-lagos-delta-assets-forfeiture/
