(In Nigeria) Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Bid to Reclaim Forfeited 753 Duplexes and Apartments

 Trending in Nigeria: Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Bid to Reclaim Forfeited 753 Duplexes and Apartments

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who sought to reclaim a significant estate of 753 duplexes and apartments that had been forfeited to the government. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled for the final forfeiture of the property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, which spans 150,462.84 square meters. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously secured both an interim and a final forfeiture order for the estate in favor of the Federal Government. Although initially recovered from an unnamed former high-ranking government official, the property has been widely associated with Emefiele. In his legal efforts, Emefiele, through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, filed a motion to extend the timeframe to challenge the interim and final forfeiture orders that were issued on December 2 and December 24, 2024, respectively.

Emefiele contended that he was unaware of the entire forfeiture process, claiming that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch Newspaper, which hindered his ability to respond adequately. He argued that his ongoing trials in three separate criminal cases across courts in Abuja and Lagos during that period further complicated his ability to discover the publication. In response, Justice Onwuegbuzie emphasized that the court retains the authority to review its decisions under suitable circumstances, despite the principle of functus officio (which limits a court's power after delivering judgment). He noted that the notice requirements for forfeiture proceedings are governed by Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. Rejecting Emefiele’s claims regarding the obscurity of the publication, the judge stated that the half-page notice published in a national newspaper could not be considered hidden. The court reaffirmed that only individuals with a recognizable interest in the forfeited property may intervene in such matters. Ultimately, Justice Onwuegbuzie concluded that Emefiele had been given ample opportunity—over 14 days—to contest the forfeiture but failed to take action. Consequently, the court dismissed his motion, ruling in favor of the EFCC.

See also: (in Nigeria) Court Sentences Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband to Death