The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who sought to reclaim a massive estate of 753 duplexes and apartments that had already been forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie upheld the final forfeiture of the estate located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, which covers 150,462.84 square metres.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier obtained interim and final forfeiture orders on the property.
Although the estate was originally linked to an unnamed senior official, Emefiele, through his lawyer Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), filed a motion to be recognized as an interested party.
He requested an extension of time to challenge the forfeiture orders granted on December 2 and 24, 2024.
Emefiele contended that the entire forfeiture process was conducted without his knowledge and alleged that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch Newspaper, making it difficult for him to respond timely.
He added that he had been standing trial in three separate criminal cases across different courts in Abuja and Lagos during the relevant period, making it practically impossible for him to discover the publication.
Emefiele also accused the EFCC of deliberately concealing the forfeiture proceedings despite their frequent interactions with him over other pending charges.
In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie emphasized that while the principle of functus officio (a court becoming powerless after delivering judgment) was argued, the court retained the authority to review its decisions under appropriate circumstances.
The judge noted that Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, governs notice requirements in forfeiture proceedings.
He rejected Emefiele’s argument that the publication was obscure, stating that the half-page notice in a national newspaper like Punch could not reasonably be described as hidden.
The court stressed that only individuals who can show a recognizable interest in the forfeited property are entitled to intervene, akin to the principles governing joinder in lawsuits.
Justice Onwuegbuzie concluded that Emefiele had sufficient time—over 14 days—to act but failed to do so, and thus rejected the application, siding with the EFCC.
What you should know
Godwin Emefiele’s attempt to reclaim a forfeited estate of 753 homes in Abuja was denied by the court, which ruled he had sufficient notice and failed to act, reinforcing the EFCC’s position in the case.
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