The Federal High Court, Lagos Division, after taking submission from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC’s) counsel has ordered a temporary forfeiture of $4,719,054 million and N830,875,611 million traced to Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Penpushing reports that the judge, Justice Yellim Bogoro, gave the forfeiture order on Thursday after the commission filed an ex-parte request to seize the assets, an ex-parte application refers to proceedings brought before a court on behalf of an interested party without notice to an adverse party in a suit.
The court entertained in the absence of the opposing party, while the judge in granting the ex-parte motion after he had taken submission of the agency lawyers counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chinenye, held that he had listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support
‘I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support. I find merit in the application and same hereby granted as prayed’, Bogoro said.
Penpushing further reports that the judge ordered the anti-graft agency to publish this order in any daily newspapers circulating all over the country for anybody who is interested, to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
The forfeited funds to the Nigerian government in the interim were said to be warehoused in some banks operated by Omoile Anita Joy who is on the run; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Ltd and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
Penpushing also reports that the suit was, however adjourned until July 2,2024 for the hearing of the application for final forfeiture of the properties, as it on record that the embattled for apex bank boss is facing multiple corruption charges in Lagos and Abuja.
The accused person may equally lose several assets that have been linked to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while properties forfeited include; 94 Units of 11 Storey building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11 Story Office Space, situated on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos.
Penpushing reports that others are Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, ibeju-Lekki local government area, Lagos and 2 properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.Twin Completed Property Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.
The forfeited also include one plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a Property Situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos are also among the properties the former CBN governor will forfeit.
Penpushing reports that the anti-crimes commission’s application seeking forfeiture of the assets was based on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The anti-graft agency prayed the court for an interim order forfeiting to the Nigerian Government the funds warehoused in the accounts particularized in Schedule ‘A’ which funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria Properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities. An Order directing the publication in any National Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone who is interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before this Honourable Court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
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