interim forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054 and N830,875,611, and several
properties linked to the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
The EFCC had approached the court for an interim forfeiture
of the monies and properties, pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud
and other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the
Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
Following an ex- parte argued by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C Chineye, Justice
Yellim Bogoro ordered the ex-CBN governor to relinquish his properties on
Thursday.
Emefiele’s properties forfeited to the Federal Government
include; 94 Units of 11 Storey building under construction at 2, Otunba
Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-story
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 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 situated on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.
The anti-graft agency also asked the court for the
following; “an Interim Order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria
the funds warehoused in the accounts particularized in Schedule ‘A’ which funds
are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of
Nigeria Properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful
activities.
“An Order directing the publication In any National
Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone who Is
interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before
this Honourable Court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of
forfeiture of the sald properties and funds should not be made in favour of the
Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In granting the ex-parte motion, Justice Bogoro, after he
had taken submission of the EFCC’s counsel held; “I have listened to the
submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved,
together with the affidavit in support.”
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