Again, Court orders seizure of N11.14 billion Emefiele-linked properties

On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Lagos granted an order for the interim seizure of properties worth N11.14 billion linked to Godwin Emefiele, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.

News360 Nigeri gathered that Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the order following a motion ex parte filed and argued by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo.

The court’s order requires the interim confiscation of these properties to the federal government.

Oyedepo told the court that Emefiele is alleged to have purchased these high-value homes, which are predominantly located in posh areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, via proxy using fraudulent funds.

The EFCC also implicated three CBN staff members as Emefiele’s accomplices. Makinde Olubunmi, Obayemi Teben and Adebayo Akomolafe allegedly used their positions to secure retail and special allocations of foreign exchange for various companies in exchange for kickbacks.

Justice Aneke has ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a newspaper to allow any interested parties to present reasons why a final forfeiture order should not be issued.

The case to June 21 for the hearing of the motion for final forfeiture.