Emefiele returns to court

The embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has initiated legal actions to contest the court-ordered forfeiture of his assets to the Federal Government. Emefiele’s move comes in response to a series of court orders obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which have resulted in the seizure of his funds and properties. The most recent forfeiture order was issued on August 12, 2024, by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court. The order included the interim forfeiture of $2.045 million and several properties linked to Emefiele. The EFCC, represented by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had applied for the forfeiture on an ex parte basis. The properties subject to the forfeiture include: Two duplexes at 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. An undeveloped land of 1919.592 sqm at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi. A bungalow at 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive. A four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi. An industrial complex under construction on 22 plots in Agbor, Delta State. Eight units of an apartment on 2457.60 sqm at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi. A duplex on 2217.87 sqm at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust. In response to the orders, Emefiele has filed applications challenging the forfeiture. At the recent hearing, EFCC prosecution counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, confirmed compliance with the court’s directive to publish the forfeiture notice. The notice was published in The PUNCH Newspaper on August 28, 2024, allowing interested parties to contest the forfeiture. Emefiele’s legal team, led by Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and A. Labi-Lawal, requested the court prioritize their interlocutory application aimed at halting further forfeiture proceedings. Ojo argued that the law mandates the resolution of interlocutory applications before moving forward with final forfeiture processes. In addition, Mr Chibuzor Opara, representing occupants of one of the affected properties at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, requested additional time to file his clients’ responses, citing incomplete receipt of necessary court documents. Justice Deinde Dipeolu, presiding over the case, has scheduled the next hearing for September 12, 2024. During the next session, the court will address all pending applications and consider the requests made by both Emefiele’s legal team and other interested parties.