Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered permanent forfeiture of property valued at N11,140,000,000.00 (billion) and N1.04 billion linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele to the Federal Government.
Justice Aneke gave the ruling of final forfeiture after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel Chineye Okezie, argued during the hearing of a motion.
The court had on June 5, 2024, affirmed the anti-graft agency’s motion filed an argued by its counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), for an interim forfeiture of the property.
Oyedepo had told the court that the former CBN governor allegedly bought the choice properties by proxy, with the proceeds of fraud.
The EFCC named Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde a former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud in the affidavit filed in support of the application, are and others.
Upon resumption on Friday, June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the judge’s interim order and Okezie moved her motion for permanent forfeiture.
Justice Aneke allowed the appeal to stand after reading a 41-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an EFCC Investigating Officer, Michael John Idoko, the 19 exhibits attached, a Written Address signed by Okezie, and after hearing Okezie’s motion.
The properties which were listed by the EFCC in two schedules, A and B include lands and apartments which were paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04billion.
The affidavit stated that Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde “used their positions and Influence as CBN staff to secure retail and Special allocation of Foreign Exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks.
“That Olubunmi Makinde is the link between Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo and the various companies applying for the purchase of foreign exchange.
“That Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo as staffs of the Central Bank of Nigeria has access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who has applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”
