The Federal High Court has seized $4.72 million, N830.88 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro issued the order on Thursday, following an ex-parte motion argued by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chineye.
The forfeited funds, held in various bank accounts, were linked to entities 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.
Properties forfeited to the Federal Government include:
- 94 units of an 11-story building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club Road), Ikoyi, Lagos
- AM Plaza, an 11-story office space at 1E Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos
- Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imore Land in Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos
- Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (a furniture plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos
- Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B, Lot Twin Completed Property, Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos
Other forfeited properties include:
- A plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA
- An estate located at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services
- Land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
- Property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
The EFCC sought interim forfeiture of these funds and properties under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 14, 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court.