Supreme Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Properties Linked To Godwin Emefiele

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Supreme Court has restored the final forfeiture of seven high-value properties linked to former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefele, thereby overturning an earlier verdict of the Court of Appeal which ordered a retrial of the case.

A five-member panel of the Apex Court led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, unanimously allowed the Appeal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division that nullified the forfeiture order made by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The judgement was read on behalf of the panel by Justice Mohammed Idris with the decision, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgement of Justice Dende Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, who on November 1st, 2024, ordered the final forfeiture of the assets to the Federal government after holding that they were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The Appeal was argued on behalf of the appellant by a legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN, with the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) also appearing.

The respondent, Godwin Emefiele, was represented by Olalekan Ojo and Labi Lawal, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The Apex Court’s decision effectively affirmed the final forfeiture of the assets, bringing to an end the legal challenge mounted by Emefiele against the Federal High Court’s order.

Apart from the properties, Emefiele by the verdict equally forfeits over two Million Dollars