Court Orders Seizure Of N11.14bn Choice Properties Linked To Emefiele

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos has granted the Federal Government an order of interim forfeiture of properties valued at N11,140,000,000.00 linked to the troubled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.

The judge took the decision consequent upon a motion instituted and argued by the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led Bilkisu Buhari-Bala and Chineye Okezie in the proceedings.

Justice Aneke also ordered the EFCC to publish the order in the ThisDay Newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.

Oyedepo, SAN, had hinted to Justice Aneke that the former CBN boss was suspected of having bought the choice properties by proxy with the proceeds of fraud.

The anti-graft agency named two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.

The properties are said to be mostly located in highbrow parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Justice Aneke adjourned until June 21, 2024, for the hearing of the motion for final forfeiture.