The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled on the permanent forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and multiple high-value properties linked to former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Yellim Bogoro also granted the final forfeiture of a $900,000 investment traced to Anita Joy Omoile, a close associate of Emefiele.
Sum of $4.4 million worth of investment connected to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd and ₦283 million in a Zenith Bank account linked to Liman Investment Ltd were also seized.
The funds, spread across First Bank, Zenith Bank, and Titan Bank, were managed by individuals and entities including Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and Deep Blue Industrial Park Ltd.
The court found them to be proceeds of unlawful activities, directing that they be handed over to the Federal Government.
Also forfeited are 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction in Ikoyi, an 11-floor office space in Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, industrial parks in Amuwo Odofin and Ibeju-Lekki, a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate, a property in Texas owned by Lipam Investment Services, and other high-value estates in Ikoyi and Lekki, Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, presented evidence that Emefiele, during his tenure as CBN governor from 2014 to 2023, funneled illicit funds through associates.
The court heard that Omoile operated a bureau de change business without a license, receiving large sums of dollars allegedly supplied by Emefiele.
Justice Bogoro, while dismissing an application attempting to stall the judgment, ruled that the funds and properties were illegitimately acquired.
“I find that the activities of the respondents here were unlawful,” the judge stated, emphasizing the sudden disappearance of funds after Emefiele’s exit from office.
The judgment marks a major victory for the EFCC in its ongoing anti-corruption drive.
