Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of acquiring the properties through proxies using proceeds from fraud.
By Musa Ibrahim
The Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of properties worth over N11.14 billion and an additional N1.04 billion linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government on Friday.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the permanent forfeiture order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Chineye Okezie.
On June 5, 2024, the judge had approved the EFCC’s motion for a temporary forfeiture of the properties, filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo.
Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of acquiring the properties through proxies using proceeds from fraud.
The EFCC identified two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud: Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and former CBN staff Olubunmi Makinde.
The properties are primarily located in affluent areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Justice Aneke had previously directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to contest the final forfeiture.
When the hearing resumed on June 21, no parties appeared to contest the interim order, and Okezie proceeded with the application for permanent forfeiture.
After reviewing a 41-paragraph affidavit by EFCC Investigating Officer Michael John Idoko, along with 19 exhibits and a written address by Okezie, Justice Aneke granted the application.
The properties were listed by the EFCC in two schedules, A and B.
The judge said: “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
They include shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse.
For Schedule B, Justice Aneke added: “That a final forfeiture order of this Honourable Court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule B herein which properties were traced to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
The properties include lands and apartments which were paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04 billion.
According to the affidavit, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde “used their positions and Influence as CBN staff to secure retail and Special allocation of Foreign Exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks.
“That Olubunmi Makinde is the link between Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo and the various companies applying for the purchase of foreign exchange.
“That Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo as staffs of the Central Bank of Nigeria has access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who has applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”
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