Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of Emefiele-Linked Ogun Warehouse To Federal Government

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of a warehouse and 54 steel containers situated on a 1.925-hectare plot along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Magboro, Ogun State, to the Federal Government.  

The property is reportedly linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.  

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Justice Deinde Dipeolu delivered the ruling on Thursday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented an application for the permanent forfeiture, citing no claims of ownership by any individual or organization.  

In an earlier session on November 28, 2024, the court granted an interim forfeiture order, instructing the EFCC to publicize it in a national newspaper.

This allowed interested parties to come forward and prove why the property should not be permanently forfeited.  

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At Thursday’s hearing, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the commission had complied with the directive. 

He urged the court to finalize the forfeiture under Section 44(2)(B) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.  

Oyedepo argued that the assets were likely acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities. 

After reviewing the evidence, Justice Dipeolu approved the EFCC’s application, officially transferring ownership of the warehouse and containers to the Federal Government.