The Federal High Court in Lagos has set Thursday, September 12, 2024, for the hearing of all applications concerning the permanent forfeiture of assets and funds linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu adjourned the case after listening to submissions from the legal representatives of all parties involved.
Bilikisu Buhari-Bala represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared for Emefiele.
Another lawyer, Chibuzor Opara, represented the occupants of one of the properties in question, located at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC’s counsel, Buhari-Bala, informed the court that the hearing was scheduled to review compliance with an earlier interim forfeiture order, issued on August 15, 2024, by Justice Akintayo Aluko.
The court had ordered the temporary forfeiture of $2.045 million and several properties linked to Emefiele, pending a final decision.
In compliance with the order, the EFCC published the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper on August 28, 2024, to allow interested parties to present objections. Buhari-Bala stated that two applications had been received from Emefiele’s legal team, but they were not ready for hearing. She requested a short adjournment to respond.
Counsel for Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), stated that his client had filed applications to stay further proceedings, which should take precedence.
He requested that the hearing be postponed until September 9 for this purpose.
Meanwhile, Opara, representing occupants of the Ikoyi property, requested more time to file his clients’ processes.
After considering all arguments, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to September 12, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications.
The case revolves around assets ordered for interim forfeiture, including properties in Ikoyi, Lekki, and Delta State, as well as two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust linked to Emefiele.
The EFCC had been ordered to publish the interim forfeiture notice, allowing interested parties to challenge the forfeiture.
