Court orders forfeiture of $2.045m in assets from Emefiele
The permanent forfeiture of $2.045 million, multiple luxury properties, and two share certificates belonging to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has been ordered by a Federal High Court in Lagos.The final forfeiture to the Nigerian government was confirmed by Judge Deinde Dipeolu's ruling on Friday.
This decision is the result of an interim order issued by vacation judge Akintayo Aluko on August 15, following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's assertion that the assets were likely the proceeds of unlawful activities.
Later, the forfeiture order was published by the EFCC, which extended an invitation to any interested parties to contest it.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel for the EFCC, requested the final forfeiture during the October 11 hearing, as the claims were not contested.
Judge Dipeolu determined that Godwin Emefiele did not submit any evidence of lawful income from his positions at the Central Bank of Nigeria or Zenith Bank, which could have justified his acquisition of the contested properties.
"The inference that can be drawn is that there must be something obscure about the acquisition of the properties that Emefiele and the companies wish to conceal," he concluded.
Two detached duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street in Lekki Phase 1, an undeveloped parcel on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive in Ikoyi, a bungalow and a four-bedroom duplex in Ikoyi, an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots in Agbor, Delta State, eight apartment units on Adekunle Lawal Road in Ikoyi, and a duplex with land on Bank Road in Ikoyi are among the forfeited properties.
The forfeiture order also includes the assets of numerous companies that are purportedly associated with Godwin Emefiele, such as Amrash Ventures Limited, Modern Hotels Limited, Finebury Properties Limited, Fidelity Express Services Limited, H & Y Business Global Limited, and SDEM Erectors Nigeria Limited.
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