Supreme Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Emefiele Luxury Properties

The Supreme Court has ordered the final forfeiture of luxury properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele.

The ruling restores the Federal High Court’s forfeiture order and overturns a Court of Appeal decision that had ordered a retrial.

Channels TV reported that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, unanimously allowed the EFCC’s appeal. The case concerns seven high-value properties and other assets linked to the former CBN governor.

The assets include properties in Ikoyi, Lagos, an industrial complex under construction in Agbor, Delta State, and other real estate. Channels TV reported that the Federal High Court had also ordered the forfeiture of $2.045 million in cash and share certificates.

Daily Post reported that the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal was wrong to order a retrial after the Federal High Court had ordered final forfeiture.

Emefiele has faced several corruption-related proceedings since leaving office. The latest ruling is a separate asset-forfeiture decision and does not by itself amount to a criminal conviction.

Sources: Daily Post, Channels TV