The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro, in a judgment delivered on Friday, also ordered the forfeiture of investments worth $900,000 traced to Anita Joy Omoile, a close associate of Emefiele. Additionally, the court approved the forfeiture of a $4.4 million investment linked to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd and ₦283 million in a Zenith Bank account held by Liman Investment Ltd. Other forfeited assets include €20,000 and £1,999.50 traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change.
The ruling followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Bogoro granted the final forfeiture to the Federal Government after holding that the funds and properties were linked to corrupt practices.
Among the forfeited assets 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 in Lekki; Imore Industrial Park in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse, a furniture plant in Ibeju-Lekki; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria located in Lakes Estate, Lekki.
Other forfeited properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate, an estate in Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services, land on Bunmi Olowude Street in Lekki Phase 1, and a property on Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Bilikisi Buhari-Bala, and six other prosecutors, told the court that Emefiele, while serving as CBN governor from 2014 to 2023, used close associates and allies to conceal and disguise proceeds of illegal activities through various accounts in Nigeria and abroad.
