Court Gives Verdict on Emefiele-Linked Assets: Warehouse, Containers Forfeited
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a warehouse and 54 general-purpose steel containers linked to alleged unlawful activities. The warehouse is located on a 1.925-hectare property along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the final forfeiture order in favor of the Federal Government of Nigeria after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an application. The EFCC stated that no individual or organization came forward to claim ownership of the assets.
The case began on November 28 when EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), approached the court with a motion ex parte requesting the forfeiture. The commission alleged that the properties were proceeds of unlawful activities and linked them to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Following the initial hearing, Justice Dipeolu ordered the interim forfeiture of the assets and instructed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to contest the forfeiture. At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Oyedepo informed the court that the EFCC had complied with the directive, but no claims had been made.
Citing Section 44(2)(B) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Oyedepo urged the court to order the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government.
After reviewing the submissions and evidence, Justice Dipeolu granted the EFCC’s application, ruling that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
The judge declared:
“The application succeeds and the same is accordingly granted. A final forfeiture order is hereby granted, forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein, which are reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”
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