Court fixes September 12 to hear Emefiele’s applications on forfeited assets

A federal high court in Lagos has fixed September 12 to hear applications filed by Godwin Emefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), concerning the forfeiture of monies and properties linked to him.

On August 15, Akintayo Aluko, a vacation judge, issued an interim order of forfeiture against Emefiele following an application filed by Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Oyedepo said the forfeited assets were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court had directed the commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper so that anyone interested in the properties could appear before the court and show cause within 14 days of why it should not be made in favour of the government.

The suit marked FHC/L/MISC/500/24 was adjourned to September 5 for a compliance report.

At the resumed session on Thursday, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, appeared for the EFCC, while Olalekan Ojo appeared for the former CBN Governor.

Another lawyer, Chibuzor Opara, announced his appearance for the occupants of 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, one of the properties sought to be forfeited to the federal government.

Buhari-Bala told Deinde Dipeolu, who took over from the vacation judge, that the EFCC had complied with the ruling of the court and filed an affidavit showing that the order was published on August 28, 2024, in a newspaper.

Buhari-Bala also informed the court that she had received two applications from Emefiele’s lawyer but noted that they were not ripe for hearing.

She prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable her to respond to the applications.

Responding, Ojo, the counsel to Emefiele, said the applications filed are seeking to stay further proceedings in the forfeiture suit.

“The law allows such an application to take precedence over the substantive application,” he said.

Opara, who appeared for the interested party, told the court that he is yet to have all processes filed in the matter, despite applying for the same.

He also urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable him to file his client’s processes.

After listening to all counsel, Dipeolu adjourned the matter to September 12 for hearing of all applications.