A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed Thursday, September 12, for hearing of all applications on the forfeited monies and properties linked to a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu who presided over the case fixed the date after hearing arguments canvassed by counsel who represented parties in the case.
The suit before Hon. Justice Dipeolu made it the third of the series where properties and monies linked to the embattled ex CBN Governor, Emefiele are brought to court for forfeiture.
It would be recall that Justice Akintayo Aluko had on August (15) ordered interim forfeiture of a cash sum $2, 045 million USD, and some landed properties linked to the embattled former CBN Governor.
The judge granted the forfeiture order, after taking submission of Rotimi oyedepo (SAN), leading led Chineye Okezie and Zeenat Atiku-Bala, who filed and moved an Exparte motion for the order, on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the resumed hearing of the matter before the court, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala appeared for the EFCC, while Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and A. Labi-Lawal appeared for the embattled former CBN Governor, Emefiele.
Also, Barrister Chibuzor Opara, announced his appearance for the occupants of 8a, Adekunle Lawal No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC lawyer, Mrs. Buhari-Bala informed the court that the matter was fixed for today, for report of compliance of the orders made on August 15, 2024.
She also informed the court that EFCC has filed an affidavit showing that the order was published on August 28, 2024 in the Punch newspaper.
Mrs. Buhari-Bala further informed the court that she has received two processes from Emefiele and that the applications are not ripe for hearing.
She therefore asked the court for a short date, to enable her respond to Emefiele’s applications.
Also, Mr. Ojo (SAN) in his response, informed the court that the processes filed on behalf of Emefiele, is to stop further proceedings in the forfeiture suit.
He stated that “the law says, where there is an application of such, the issue of final forfeiture should be stated”.
Ojo further informed the court that his client’s application, being an Interlocutory application must be heard and determined before any further proceedings.
He therefore urged the court to adjourn to Monday, for Hearing of his client’s application.
However, Chibuzor Opara, who appeared for the occupants of one of the properties at 8A, Adekunle Lawal road, Ikoyi, told the court that he is yet to have all processes filed in the matter, despite applying to court for search.
He equally urged the court for an adjournment, to enable him file his clients processes.
Justice Dipeolu after listening to all counsel, adjourned the matter to September 12, for hearing of all applications.
Other properties initially ordered to be forfeited by the court include: two fully detached duplexes of identical structures, lying being and situated at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped land, measuring 1919.592sqm with Survey Plan No. DS/LS/340 LYING, being and situate at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow lying, being and situate at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; four bedroom duplex lying, being and situate at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi; Industrial complex under construction on a 22-plot of land, lying, being and situate in Agbor, Delta State; 8 units of the undetached apartment on a plot measuring 2457.60sqm OF lying, being and situate at No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land measuring 2217.87sqm lying, being and situate at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Justice Aluko also ordered that 2 shares of share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust belonging to Emefiele be forfeited.
The judge after granting the Exparte motion, ordered the EFCC to publish the orders in a well-circulated national newspaper within 14 days, for any interested party to show cause and tell the court why the money and properties should not be finally forfeited.
