A Federal High Court in Lagos has set November 1, 2024, as the date for a decision on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) plea for the final forfeiture of $2.045 million, seven prime landed properties, and shares linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu will also rule on Emefiele’s attempt to contest the court’s jurisdiction over the forfeiture proceedings.
On August 25, 2024, the court granted the EFCC temporary custody of Emefiele’s funds and properties.
The court granted the application and asked the EFCC to publicise the judgement of interim forfeiture so that anyone interested in the monies may show cause why they should not be finally forfeited to the federal government.
At the matter’s resumed hearing on Friday, EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved for the final forfeiture of the $2.045 million, as well as share certificates, which he claimed were not contested by the interested party.
Oyedepo adopted a written address dated August 29, 2024, urging the court to award the property’s final forfeiture to the Federal Government.
However, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, urged the court to reject the application.
After hearing the counsels, Justice Dipeolu delayed the matter until November 1 to rule.
