The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled Thursday, September 12, for a hearing on various applications related to a suit seeking the permanent forfeiture of funds and properties associated with former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu set the date following presentations from all involved legal representatives.
During the hearing, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala appeared for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while Olalekan Ojo (SAN) represented Emefiele.
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Chibuzor Opara announced his representation for the occupants of 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, one of the properties targeted for forfeiture.
Buhari-Bala informed the court that the hearing was scheduled to report on the compliance with orders made on August 15, 2024. On that date, Justice Akintayo Aluko had ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.045 million and several properties linked to Emefiele.
The court had also mandated the publication of the forfeiture order in newspapers to allow interested parties to contest the action.
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Buhari-Bala noted that the EFCC had complied with this directive, as evidenced by an affidavit confirming the order’s publication on August 28, 2024.
She also reported receiving two applications from Emefiele’s counsel, which were not yet ready for hearing, and requested a brief adjournment to address them.
In response, Ojo informed the court that the applications sought to stay further proceedings in the forfeiture suit, and requested an adjournment until Monday, September 9, for their hearing.
Opara, representing the occupants of 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, stated that he had not received all the necessary documents despite requesting them, and sought an adjournment to file his client’s processes.
After considering all submissions, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter to September 12 for the hearing of all applications.
On August 15, Justice Aluko had granted an interim forfeiture of $2.045 million and several properties linked to Emefiele, following an ex parte application by EFCC Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo.
The properties ordered for forfeiture include several high-value real estate holdings in Lagos and Delta State, along with two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust.
The court had directed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture orders in a major national newspaper within 14 days, allowing any interested parties to challenge the final forfeiture.
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