The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of properties worth over ₦12 billion belonging to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the final forfeiture order after reviewing a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Chineye Okezie.
The judge stated, “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered that a final forfeiture order is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The forfeited properties include shops and apartments in Cadastral Zones Maitama and Wuse.
Additionally, Justice Aneke ordered the forfeiture of properties listed in Schedule B, which were traced to have been acquired with unlawful proceeds. These include lands and apartments worth a total of ₦1.04 billion, paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun.
According to an affidavit, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo, along with Olubunmi Makinde, used their positions as CBN staff to secure retail and special allocations of foreign exchange for various companies in exchange for kickbacks. Olubunmi Makinde acted as the link between Teben, Adebayo, and the companies applying for foreign exchange.
“That OBAYEMI OLUWASEUN TEBEN and AKOMOLAFE ADEBAYO as staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria have access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who have applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”
Aneke on June 5, 2024, granted an interim forfeiture following a motion by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo.
Oyedepo told the court that Emefiele was suspected of purchasing the choice properties by proxy using proceeds from fraud.
He also identified two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the application, the accomplices are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and former CBN staff Olubunmi Makinde, among others.
The properties are primarily located in upscale areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The judge directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause why the final forfeiture order should not be issued.
The judge then scheduled a hearing for the motion for final forfeiture.
On June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the interim order. Consequently, Chineye Okezie moved forward with her motion for permanent forfeiture.
After reviewing a 41-paragraph affidavit by EFCC Investigating Officer Michael John Idoko, along with 19 attached exhibits and a written address signed by Okezie, Justice Aneke granted the application for permanent forfeiture.
The judge directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting any interested parties to show cause why the final forfeiture order should not be issued.
The judge then scheduled a hearing for the motion for final forfeiture.
On June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the interim order. Consequently, Chineye Okezie moved forward with her motion for permanent forfeiture.
After reviewing a 41-paragraph affidavit by EFCC Investigating Officer Michael John Idoko, along with 19 attached exhibits and a written address signed by Okezie, Justice Aneke granted the application for permanent forfeiture.
The EFCC listed the properties in two schedules, A and B.
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