The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to reject an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to halt the forfeiture of assets and funds linked to him.
On August 25, 2024, the court granted the EFCC permission to temporarily seize $2.045 million, seven prime properties, and shares connected to Emefiele.
During Friday’s proceedings, Emefiele’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olalekan Ojo, requested that Justice Deinde Dipeolu suspend the case until an appeal filed by the former CBN governor is resolved.
Ojo argued, “We are asking your lordship to stay proceedings pending the appeal to prevent judicial overreach.”
However, EFCC’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the motion, stating that no legitimate appeal had been filed. He emphasised that no prior ruling had led to an appeal, asserting that the defendant merely submitted documents to the Court of Appeal registry.
Oyedepo added, “The defendant hurried to the Court of Appeal after the Federal High Court returned the case file for reassignment following the court’s vacation. There is no valid appeal before this court.”
He also argued that even if an appeal existed, the necessary court approval had not been sought, and the application lacked any exceptional circumstances to warrant a stay of proceedings.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case until October 11 for a ruling on the application.