Justice Chukwujekwu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to permanently forfeit properties worth over N11.14 billion and N1.04 billion to the Federal Government.
News About Nigeria reports that the judge gave the order for final forfeiture after considering a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Chineye Okezie, on Friday.
The judge said, “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
“A final forfeiture order of this Honourable Court is, hereby, made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule B herein which properties were traced to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
In its judgement, the court listed properties to be forfeited by Emefiele to include shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse in Abuja.
Also, the properties included lands and apartments, which were paid for on behalf of one Obayemi Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04 billion.
This is because Oluwaseun, Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and former CBN staff, Olubunmi Makinde, among others, are listed as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
According to the EFCC lawyer, Emefiele was suspected of purchasing the choice properties by proxy using proceeds from fraud.
