EFCC Triumphs: N12.18 Billion Property Seized from Ex-CBN Chief Godwin Emefiele

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a motion seeking the forfeiture of the property, which was suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The court granted the motion and ordered the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to give all concerned parties the opportunity to challenge the final order.

The Federal High Court has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a property valued at N12.18 billion linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The property, located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, was forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria following a court order granted by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

EFCC Presents Motion for Forfeiture

The EFCC, represented by lawyer Chineye Okezie, presented a motion seeking the forfeiture of the property valued at N12.18 billion. The motion was supported by a 41-paragraph affidavit presented by EFCC Investigating Officer Michael John Idoko, along with 19 accompanying exhibits. The court carefully examined the application and submission of counsel before granting the motion.

The EFCC had traced the property to the former CBN Governor and reasonably suspected that it was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. The commission had earlier obtained an interim forfeiture order, which was published in a national newspaper, but no parties came forward to challenge the order.

Justice Aneke Grants Final Forfeiture Order

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the final forfeiture order, forfeiting the property valued at N12.18 billion to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The judge said that the order was made after carefully considering the application and submission of counsel. The court found that the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The final forfeiture order was made pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The court ordered that the property be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and that the EFCC be authorized to take possession of the property.

Properties Situated in Highly Sought-After Locations

The properties forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria are situated in highly sought-after locations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja. The properties were included in two separate listings and were valued at N12.18 billion. The EFCC had traced the properties to the former CBN Governor and reasonably suspected that they were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The forfeiture of the properties is a significant victory for the EFCC in its quest to recover proceeds of unlawful activities. The commission has been working tirelessly to trace and recover assets acquired through illegal means.

No Parties Present to Contest Temporary Order

On June 21, when the court resumed proceedings, there were no parties present to contest the temporary order. The EFCC had published the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, but no parties came forward to challenge the order. The court therefore proceeded to grant the final forfeiture order, forfeiting the property valued at N12.18 billion to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The absence of any parties to contest the temporary order suggests that the former CBN Governor and any other interested parties did not challenge the forfeiture of the property.

EFCC Authorized to Take Possession of Property

The court ordered that the EFCC be authorized to take possession of the property forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The commission is expected to take immediate possession of the property and to manage it pending further directions from the court. The forfeiture of the property is a significant achievement for the EFCC in its quest to recover proceeds of unlawful activities.

The EFCC has been working tirelessly to trace and recover assets acquired through illegal means, and the forfeiture of this property is a testament to the commission’s commitment to fighting corruption.