Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order for $2.04 million and seven properties connected to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The properties, scattered across high-end areas of Lagos and Delta State, are believed to have been acquired with proceeds from unlawful activities.
Among the properties listed for forfeiture are two duplexes in Lekki Phase 1, undeveloped land and a bungalow in Ikoyi, a four-bedroom duplex in Ikoyi, an industrial complex under construction in Agbor, and an apartment complex in Ikoyi. Additionally, two share certificates from Queensdorf Global Fund Limited were also ordered for forfeiture.
The order was granted following a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the funds and properties were linked to fraudulent activities during Emefiele’s tenure at the CBN. The EFCC cited evidence suggesting that Emefiele and his associates, including Ifeanyi Omeke of Zenith Bank, were involved in schemes that illegally diverted funds for personal gain.
The court has instructed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in national newspapers, giving interested parties 14 days to challenge the order or risk the properties being permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
