Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a federal high court in Lagos that no one has claimed the $2.045 million linked to Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Gatekeepers News reports that EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo made the submission on Thursday before the court presided by Justice Deinde Dipeolu.
EFCC is seeking the permanent forfeiture of assets, including money, seven landed properties, and shares allegedly acquired by the former CBN Gov through proxies.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, a vacation judge had on August 15, issued an interim order of forfeiture against Emefiele following an application filed by the EFCC counsel.
The court directed EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper for anyone interested in the properties to appear before the court and show cause within 14 days of why it should not be made in favour of the government.
Subsequently, on September 5, Justice Aluko adjourned the case until September 12 to hear all pending applications.
During the resumed session on Thursday, Olalekan Ojo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) represented Emefiele, while Chibuzor Opara represented parties seeking to join the suit.
The parties interested in joining the suit through Okpara served two processes to stay proceedings and also filed an affidavit to make known why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
EFCC counsel however opposed Okpara, saying he had filed a counter affidavit to the motion asking the court to stay proceedings.
He said, “In line with the spirit of section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, we have filed a motion for final forfeiture.”
“In an order for interim forfeiture, it is well couched that whoever has an interest should file an application to show cause and not for a stay of proceedings.”
Oyedepo urged the court to refuse the “dangerous application to hear the motion for stay”.
He added that “as it were, there is $2.5 million recovered in the cause of investigation, which nobody laid claim to”.
Replying, Emefiele’s lawyer said the court had slated Thursday’s proceedings “for the hearing and determination of an application for stay”.
Ojo said, “The court can’t reverse itself because the rule of consistency applies to both the court and counsels.”
Justice Dipeolu then adjourned till October 4 for further proceedings.
