Emiefele forfeits $4.72m, N830.88m, Properties to FG

A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, has ordered the seizure of monies and other properties belonging for former governor of Nigeria's apex bank, Godwin Emefiele.

The order was given Thursday by Justice Yellim Bogoro, sequel to an ex-parte filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through its counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C Chineye.

According to the order, Emiefele is to forfeit $4.72m and N830.88m said to be lodged in certain banks accounts 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.

In addition, Emefiele is to forfeit to the federal government, properties, including 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, Situate 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.

Others are Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and 2 properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.Twin Completed property Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.

The former CBN helsman is also to lose 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.

It would be recalled that the EFCC approached the court, seeking an interim forfeiture order of the said monies and properties pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud (419) and other Fraud Related Offences Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution, under the court's inherent jurisdiction.