Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of Emefiele-Linked Warehouse And Containers To Federal Government

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of a warehouse and 54 steel containers on a 1.925-hectare plot along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, Ogun State, to the Federal Government. The property is linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the ruling on Thursday following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the permanent forfeiture, as no individual or organisation claimed ownership of the property.

On November 28, 2024, the court had granted an interim forfeiture and directed the EFCC to publicize the order in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to show cause why the assets should not be permanently forfeited.

At Thursday’s hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the commission had complied with the directive. He urged the court to approve the final forfeiture under Section 44(2)(B) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

After reviewing the submissions and supporting documents, Justice Dipeolu granted the application, permanently transferring ownership of the warehouse and steel containers to the Federal Government. The EFCC alleged the assets were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.