- By Halimah Olamide
A federal high court sitting in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and other assets linked to former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
NPO reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had approached the court for the interim forfeitures because there were “proceeds of unlawful activities”.
The order was delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the court on Thursday.
The EFCC’s counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, filed the ex-parte application for the forfeiture.
The judge in her ruling held, “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the application just moved, together with the affidavit in support.
“I find merit in the application and the same is granted as prayed.
“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspaper circulating all over the federation for anybody interested to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.
“Case adjourned to July 2 for a motion for final forfeiture.”
The anti-graft agency claimed that the forfeited funds are warehoused in First Bank Plc, Titan Bank and Zenith Bank Plc, and that they were being operated by 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.
The properties were also listed as: 94 Units of an 11-floor building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space, situated on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village,ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot twin completed property in Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.
Others include One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a Property Situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.