A Lagos Federal High Court has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.045 million, seven landed properties, and shares linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Gatekeepers News reports that the order was made by Justice Akintayo Aluko after an application by Rotimi Oyedepo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Oyedepo told the court that the forfeited items were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. He alleged that Emefiele negotiated kickbacks in return for allocation of foreign exchange to some companies and used shell companies for money laundering and holding proceeds of his illicit activities.
The forfeited properties include two fully detached duplexes in Lekki Phase 1, an undeveloped land in Ikoyi, a bungalow in Ikoyi, a four-bedroom duplex in Ikoyi, an industrial complex in Agbor, eight units of undetached apartments in Ikoyi, and a full duplex in Ikoyi.
The judge directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to enable anyone interested in the properties to appear before the court and show cause within 14 days of why it should not be made in favor of the government.
Further hearing of the matter was adjourned to September 5.
