The Supreme Court has upheld the final forfeiture of several properties and $2.045 million linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
In a unanimous judgement delivered on Friday, the apex court set aside an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which had nullified the forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court.
The ruling effectively restores the Federal High Court judgement that ordered the permanent forfeiture of the assets following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
—What was forfeited—
According to the EFCC, the assets include:
1. Seven choice properties located in Lagos and Delta States
2. $2.045 million said to be connected to Emefiele
The anti-graft agency argued that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks the final legal step in the forfeiture case, bringing to an end the appeal process over the assets.
