The judge also noted that Anita Omoile, a key associate of Emefiele, used her influence to unlawfully divert funds from the CBN.
Lagos, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
Justice Yellim Bogoro issued the ruling on Friday, granting the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala. The decision came after the court dismissed an application by an interested party seeking to halt the judgment.
The forfeited funds were held in accounts with First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, operated 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.
List of Forfeited Properties
Among the properties affected by the ruling are:
- 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, Lagos
- 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
Court Ruling
In his judgment, Justice Bogoro ruled that the funds and properties were proceeds of unlawful activities.
“I find that the activities of the respondents here were unlawful,” the judge stated. “Why should they have a problem with dollars immediately after Godwin Emefiele left CBN as governor and salaries could not be paid?”
The judge also noted that Anita Omoile, a key associate of Emefiele, used her influence to unlawfully divert funds from the CBN.
Citing Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and Section 44(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) had argued that the assets were linked to fraudulent activities.
Justice Bogoro had previously ordered the interim forfeiture of the assets and directed their publication in a national newspaper. Since no individual or entity could provide legitimate proof of ownership, the court ruled in favor of a permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government.
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