Court hears EFCC’s case for permanent forfeiture of Emefiele’s alleged $2.045m assets

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed a federal high court in Lagos that no individual has come forward to claim the $2.045 million linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC counsel, made the statement on Thursday before the presiding judge, Deinde Dipeolu. The EFCC is seeking the permanent forfeiture of Emefiele’s assets, including money, seven properties, and shares allegedly acquired through proxies.

On August 15, an interim forfeiture order was granted by vacation judge Akintayo Aluko, following Oyedepo’s application. The court directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper, inviting anyone with an interest in the assets to appear and contest the order within 14 days.

The case was adjourned on September 5 to allow for further hearings on September 12.

During the resumed session, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) represented Emefiele, while Chibuzor Opara appeared on behalf of parties seeking to join the suit. Opara’s clients submitted two processes to stay proceedings and filed an affidavit opposing the final forfeiture order.

Oyedepo countered these filings, stating that under section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, anyone with an interest in the assets should file an application to show cause, not to stay proceedings. He urged the court to reject the request for a stay, calling it a “dangerous application.”

He added, “There is $2.5 million recovered during the investigation, and so far, no one has laid claim to it.”

Emefiele’s lawyer argued that the day’s proceedings were specifically set for hearing the stay application and stressed that the court could not reverse its scheduled course of action.

After hearing from all sides, Judge Dipeolu adjourned the case to October 4 for further proceedings.