The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order for $2.045 million in cash and several properties linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Justice Akintayo Aluko also ordered the forfeiture of seven properties associated with the suspended CBN Governor.

These properties include two duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, an undeveloped land on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, a bungalow on the same street, a four-bedroom duplex on Probyn Road, Ikoyi, an industrial complex under construction in Agbor, Delta State, eight undetached apartments on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a duplex on Bank Road, Ikoyi. Additionally, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of two shares in Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust.

The order followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo. Oyedepo argued that the funds and properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

He also explained that the application was made under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, Section 44 (2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

According to an affidavit from EFCC Investigator Idi Musa, the investigation revealed that Emefiele and his associates engaged in fraudulent activities, including negotiating kickbacks for foreign exchange allocations. These illicit gains were allegedly used to acquire the properties now forfeited. The affidavit also detailed the involvement of Ifeanyi Omeke, a Deputy General Manager at Zenith Bank, who allegedly facilitated the purchase and documentation of these properties on behalf of Emefiele.

The court granted the interim forfeiture after reviewing the evidence and legal arguments presented.