A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $2.045 million, seven premium properties, and share certificates linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Justice Deinde Dipeolu issued the ruling, stating that neither Emefiele nor any claimant contested the interim forfeiture order.
Forfeited Assets:
- $2.045 million
- Seven high-value properties
- Two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust
The forfeited properties include:
- Two fully detached duplexes at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
- An undeveloped land at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos
- A bungalow at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos
- A four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
- An industrial complex on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State
- Eight units of undetached apartments at No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi
- A full duplex with appurtenances at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) argued that these assets were not linked to any verifiable lawful earnings from Emefiele’s tenure at Zenith Bank or the CBN. Justice Dipeolu highlighted that Emefiele failed to provide documentation or any lawful source of funds to substantiate his ownership of the properties.
This ruling follows an earlier August 15, 2024, court authorization for the EFCC to take temporary custody of the cash, properties, and shares tied to Emefiele.