Drama as Emefiele Challenges EFCC in Court over $2.04M, Lagos, Delta Assets Forfeiture

• There is a new twist to the legal battle between former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele and the federal government
• Emefiele, during a recent court session, challenged the EFCC and the court's decision to forfeit his assets to the federal government
• Emefiele's legal team, led by Mr. Olalekan Ojo, has filed an interlocutory injunction application to stop further proceedings while they contest the forfeiture

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Godwin Emefiele, the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has filed applications to challenge the court's forfeiture of his assets to the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Recall that Emefiele was ordered to temporarily forfeit $2,045,000 linked to him.

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court gave the order, adding that the money was suspected to be proceeds of fraud.

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The court also ordered the temporary forfeiture of seven landed properties and shares belonging to the former CBN governor, following an ex parte application argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

Justice Aluko directed the EFCC to also publish a forfeiture notice in a national newspaper within 14 days, to allow interested parties to come forward and explain why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

Emefiele files suit against EFCC over assets forfeiture

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, September 5, EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, confirmed compliance with the court’s orders.

Speaking further, she stated that the forfeiture notice was published on August 28, 2024, in The Punch newspaper.

In response, Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), who led A. Labi-Lawal, urged the court to prioritise his client’s interlocutory application, which seeks to halt further forfeiture proceedings.

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After listening to all counsel, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to September 12, for hearing of all applications, Channels TV reported.

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• Anxiety as court declines Emefiele's travel request, reason emerges
• EFCC blocks Emefiele’s request for medical treatment abroad

EFCC denies sharing of N54bn forfeited by Emefiele's allies

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the EFCC on Wednesday, August 21, denied a media report suggesting that its officials shared forfeited assets linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and his associates.

But, reacting via a statement, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said the story is false.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng