The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele must be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
Justice Yellim Bogoro delivered the judgment on Friday, granting the final forfeiture application requested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case involved various bank accounts and real estate properties allegedly acquired through unlawful means.
The forfeited funds were reportedly held in accounts with First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank under the names of individuals and companies, including Omoile Anita Joy, 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.
Additionally, the properties affected include a high-rise residential complex under construction in Ikoyi, Lagos, a commercial office building in Lekki, Lagos, an industrial park in Amuwo Odofin, and a warehouse facility in Ibeju-Lekki. Other properties forfeited include land in Lekki Foreshore Estate, a property in Texas, USA, and several buildings in high-value areas of Lagos, such as Ikoyi and Lekki Phase 1.
Justice Bogoro ruled that these assets were obtained through unlawful means and must be surrendered to the government.
The judge held: “I find that the activities of the respondents here were unlawful. Why should they have a problem of dollars immediately Godwin Emefiele left CBN as a governor of the Bank and salary could not be paid?
“I hold that they are not legitimate business activities. I hold that Anita Omoile is a close crony of the former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele who has been given undue influence to unlawfully sway dollars from CBN.
“Consequently, I find that all the monies and properties in the schedule are finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
