Jimisayo Opanuga
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the interim seizure of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and properties linked to a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro issued the order on Friday after an ex-parte application by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsels, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C. Chineye.
The funds were found in various bank accounts connected to Emefiele and several companies and individuals like 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 seized properties include:
1. 94 units of 11 Storey building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos.
2. AM Plaza, 11 Storey Office situated on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street.
3. Imoore Land purchased with Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos;
4. Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos.
5. Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.
6. Twin Completed Property Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.
7. One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA.
8. Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services.
9. Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
10. Property situated on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.
The anti-graft agency alleges the funds and properties are “proceeds of unlawful activities” and seeks their permanent forfeiture to the Nigerian government.
EFCC cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
“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 said properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Justice Bogoro, however, granted the EFCC’s request for an interim order, stating, “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support.”
The court then adjourned the case to July 2, 2024, for the motion for final forfeiture.
