Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has fixed September 12 for hearing of all applications on forfeited funds and properties linked to former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Akintayo Aluko had ordered an interim forfeiture of $2.045 million and some landed properties linked to Emefiele on August 15.
The order was made following an ex-parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, led Chineye Okezie and Zeenat Atiku-Bala, who filed and moved the motion for the order.
The forfeited properties include two fully detached duplexes, an undeveloped land, a bungalow, and a four-bedroom duplex.
An industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State, was also forfeited.
Eight units of an undetached apartment and a full duplex were also among the properties forfeited.
Justice Aluko also ordered that two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust belonging to Emefiele be forfeited.
The judge ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in a well-circulated national newspaper within 14 days.
This was to allow any interested party to show cause why the money and properties should not be finally forfeited.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala appeared for the EFCC while Olalekan Ojo and A. Labi-Lawal appeared for Emefiele.
Chibuzor Opara announced his appearance for the occupants of 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Buhari-Bala informed the court that the EFCC had filed an affidavit showing that the order was published on August 28, 2024.
She also informed the court that she had received two processes from Emefiele.
Buhari-Bala asked the court for a short date to enable her to respond to Emefiele’s applications.
Ojo informed the court that Emefiele’s applications were to stop further proceedings in the forfeiture suit, urging that the court adjourn till Monday to hear his client’s application.
Opara told the court that he was yet to have all processes filed in the matter as he prayed for an adjournment to enable him file his client’s processes.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned till September 12 for hearing of all applications.
The hearing will determine the fate of the forfeited funds and properties linked to Emefiele.
