The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled Thursday, September 12, for the hearing of all applications related to a suit seeking the permanent forfeiture of monies and properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu set the date after hearing submissions from all counsel involved in the case.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while Olalekan Ojo (SAN) appeared for the former CBN governor. Chibuzor Opara also appeared on behalf of the occupants of one of the properties in question, located at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Buhari-Bala informed the court that the case was set for a compliance report on orders issued on August 15, 2024. On that date, Justice Akintayo Aluko, the vacation judge, had ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.045 million USD and several properties linked to Emefiele. The court had also mandated the publication of the forfeiture order in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to contest the permanent forfeiture of the assets.
Buhari-Bala further stated that the EFCC had complied with the court’s order, confirming that the forfeiture notice was published on August 28, 2024. She also acknowledged receiving two applications from Emefiele’s counsel but noted they were not yet ready for hearing. As a result, she requested a brief adjournment to respond.
Emefiele’s counsel, Ojo, explained that the applications sought to halt further proceedings in the forfeiture case. He argued that under the law, such applications should take precedence over the main suit and requested an adjournment until Monday, September 9, for a hearing on the matter.
Opara, representing the occupants of the Ikoyi property, stated that he had not received all relevant documents and requested additional time to file his clients’ responses.
After considering the submissions, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to September 12 for the hearing of all applications.
Justice Aluko had originally ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.045 million USD and several properties, including a property at 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, two duplexes at 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki, and other properties in Lagos and Delta States. Additionally, two share certificates belonging to Emefiele were temporarily forfeited.
The court directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a national newspaper within 14 days, giving interested parties an opportunity to contest the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government of Nigeria.