Ayobamiji Komolafe 
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has filed multiple applications to challenge the forfeiture of his assets to the Federal Government.
This comes after a series of court orders obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which have resulted in the temporary seizure of his funds and properties.
The latest forfeiture order was secured on August 12, 2024, when Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court issued an interim order for the forfeiture of $2.045 million, alongside several prime properties linked to Emefiele.
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The order was granted following an ex parte application presented by EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
Among the properties temporarily forfeited are: Two duplexes located at 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, a bungalow at 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, a four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi, an undeveloped plot measuring 1919.592 sqm at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State, Eight apartment units on 2457.60 sqm at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, A duplex on 2217.87 sqm at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and Two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust.
Justice Aluko directed that a forfeiture notice be published in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to contest the forfeiture within 14 days.
At the court hearing on Thursday, EFCC counsel Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari-Bala confirmed compliance with the court’s directive and acknowledged receiving two applications from Emefiele’s legal team.
However, she requested an adjournment to respond adequately to the applications.
In his defense, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), argued that the court should prioritize hearing his client’s interlocutory application, which seeks to halt further forfeiture proceedings.
He stressed that this application must be heard and decided upon before any final forfeiture orders could be made.
Additionally, Mr. Chibuzor Opara, representing the occupants of one of the forfeited properties at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, requested more time to file necessary documents on behalf of his clients.
After hearing submissions from all parties, Justice Deinde Dipeolu adjourned the case to September 12, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications.
