Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Bid To Reclaim Forfeited Abuja Estate
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to reclaim a vast estate in Abuja that was previously forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie upheld the final forfeiture of the property — a 753-unit estate comprising duplexes and apartments — located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, and spanning over 150,000 square metres.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier obtained both interim and final forfeiture orders for the property, which was originally linked to an unnamed senior government official, though widely believed to be associated with Emefiele.
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Kotoye, Emefiele had filed a motion as an interested party, seeking to set aside the forfeiture orders issued on December 2 and 24, 2024. He argued that the EFCC failed to adequately notify him, claiming the interim forfeiture notice was published in an obscure section of The Punch newspaper, making it difficult for him to respond. He also cited his ongoing trials in Abuja and Lagos as a hindrance to discovering the publication.
Emefiele further accused the EFCC of deliberately concealing the forfeiture process, despite his continued engagement with the commission on other legal matters.
In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie dismissed the claims, affirming that the half-page notice in a national newspaper met legal standards for public notice under Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. He also clarified that only individuals with a proven interest in forfeited assets can intervene in such proceedings.
The judge concluded that Emefiele had more than 14 days to challenge the forfeiture but failed to do so, leaving the court with no choice but to reject his motion.
