NewStats: 3,261,940 , 8,175,608 topics. Date: Saturday, 31 May 2025 at 07:30 AM 5y3z1g

Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Bid To Reclaim Forfeited 753 Abuja Duplexes, Apartments

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered the final forfeiture of the estate located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, and measuring 150,462.84 square metres.


The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, on Monday dismissed an application filed by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, seeking to reclaim a vast estate in the city comprising 753 duplexes and apartments which has already been forfeited to the government.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ordered the final forfeiture of the estate located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, and measuring 150,462.84 square metres.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously secured an interim and subsequently a final forfeiture order of the property in favour of the Federal Government.

Although the estate was initially recovered from an unnamed former senior government official, many had linked it to Emefiele.


The forfeited property
Through his lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Kotoye, the former CBN governor subsequently filed a motion as an interested party in the estate.

He sought an extension of time to apply to set aside the interim and final forfeiture orders made by the court on December 2 and December 24, 2024, respectively.

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 argued 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 der in lawsuits.

In conclusion, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that Emefiele was given ample opportunity—over 14 days—to contest the forfeiture but failed to act. He therefore dismissed the motion, resolving the sole issue in favour of the EFCC.

https://www.channelstv.com/2025/04/28/court-dismisses-emefieles-bid-to-reclaim-forfeited-abuja-estate/

Karemarealty288:

Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Bid To Reclaim Forfeited 753 Abuja Duplexes, Apartments


https://www.channelstv.com/2025/04/28/court-dismisses-emefieles-bid-to-reclaim-forfeited-abuja-estate/

Good

Wow!!!

This guy get mind as a criminal Sha, he's "CRIMINALLY MINDED"

Is this suit not enough to convict him since he's agreed to their ownership

Question becomes; How and when did he secure the funds to aquire same.

But this is Nigeria...

Stealing in Nigeria will only make you stronger as a politician because you surely know you will be pardoned. The estate has been longed shared among the current associated governments. That’s why you see Emefiele free like a fly.

Ole buruku. Coman collet it let’s see

Easy come, easy go

G

Why can't these people show respect to Nigerians?

First the houses were too much, once they were discovered, the sensible thing to do was let them go, especially when he cannot defend how he acquired the houses.

Then the idea of funds management needs to be looked into. No one must use public money without several layers of approval.

Are the expenses of CBN governors and state governors audited?

You'd find people donating state funds to some irrelevant entities. Every last cent must be ed for. How could CBN funds be spent without approval of the minister or president? There are too many lapses encouraging abuse. That must be looked into.

Emefiele should go and rest

Still has the gut🤕🤕, politicians aren't shameful @all

The properties should be returned to Godwin.

That’s his share for serving the country.

Who go ever retrieve that farm from obj. ?

NB: Godwin is still one of the best cbn governors. Thousands of miles ahead of cordoso or kangdoso guy wey dey there now

This one sef go hear am. How much is his salary and entitlement that he could afford to build 700 apartments..

Alongside with forfeiting the duplexes, the court should have also given order for the thief to be hanged . This is what happens when you pamper corruption . What an effontery

The hypocrites who said GEJ supervised corruption were all mute under buhari and also mute now that a fraud from iragbaji in charge just because they hate the region GEJ come from.

Heart of men is full of wickedness

Let him APC and Tinubu and watch how they will return it back to him.

The judge suppose give am extra 14 years jail for wasting their time!

shox:
The properties should be returned to Godwin.

That’s his share for serving the country.

Who go ever retrieve that farm from obj. ?

NB: Godwin is still one of the best cbn governors. Thousands of miles ahead of cordoso or kangdoso guy wey dey there now

If U are from south east, U av already done a damage for yourself.

U need serious canceling

This is act of wickedness. You diverted tax payers money into your personal money to build 750 houses and still have balls wanting to claim it back after everything has opened to the public.

Shio..

jamafa:


If U are from south east, U av already done a damage for yourself.

U need serious canceling

cowards go after soft target.

Take his boss to court if dem born you well

Shameless corrupt man

He waited for the anonymous forfeiture to be done before coming back in the back door when to try and claim what was his

The same estate you denied was yours during your criminal proceedings

Cos you knew once you said it was yours the next stage would be to investigate how you got the money

Shameless unrepentant corrupt man with zero integrity and shame

Nigerians are heartless people, what the hell does he want to do with 753 buildings, government should just allocate those apartments to people as housing scheme...

Emefiele would have done better as the president,as a CBN governor he already built such a massive estate,if he becomes president then all our housing issues will be sorted.no single Nigerian will be living in one room,talk less of under bridge,every body na duplex.CBN governor that can build 700plus duplex,house na water be that if he was president

BeginsAtHome:
Wow!!!

This guy get mind as a criminal Sha, he's "CRIMINALLY MINDED"

Is this suit not enough to convict him since he's agreed to their ownership

Question becomes; How and when did he secure the funds to aquire same.

But this is Nigeria...

Your last line is the icing on the cake, rarely do things that happen in Nigeria surprises me again

Klington:


The hypocrites who said GEJ supervised corruption were all mute under buhari and also mute now that a fraud from iragbaji in charge just because they hate the region GEJ come from.

On a thread that Emefiele has been exposed as having 753 properties in Abuja, that is one you are talking about people hating Goodluck's region, how exactly does it even correlate?

You can imagine a single govt official still has the gut to lay claims to 753 duplexes, even in court?

See his face like a frog. . Such a demonic heart.

Buhari allowed these kind of gluttons to over-milk the country under his watch. Despite trying to paint a saint image. That's why many Nigerians are looking for food to eat everywhere now. He must be dealt with.

Imagine the guy.

Definitely, this man has gone gaga.

Aleister:
Ole buruku. Coman collet it let’s see

The thief will collect it from you and you will do nothing than hail that drug lord* up there.

So dem never execute this guy.

Obidients shey you see your Lord?