Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A federal high court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $2.045 million and seven properties linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The properties include two fully detached duplexes in Lekki Phase 1, an undeveloped land in Ikoyi, and a four-bedroom duplex on Probyn Road, Ikoyi.
According to the court ruling, Emefiele failed to provide documents or links to show that he owned the properties, which were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had applied for the final forfeiture of the sum and share certificates, which were not contested by the interested party.
Emefiele had denied any connection between him and the companies in whose names the properties were purchased.
Presiding Judge Deinde Dipeolu stated that “the conclusion that can be deduced is that there must be something dark about the acquisition of the properties which Emefiele and the companies do not want to come to light.”
The judge therefore ordered the final forfeiture of the properties to the federal government.
The forfeited properties also include an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State, and eight units of an undetached apartment on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi.
This ruling marks a significant victory for the EFCC in its efforts to combat financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria.
