Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of properties valued at N12.18 billion, linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the federal government.

This decision came after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an application, represented by lawyer Chineye Okezie. The properties had been temporarily seized on June 5, 2024, following an ex-parte application by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). The court had instructed the EFCC to publish the interim order to allow any interested parties to contest the forfeiture.

Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele allegedly acquired the properties through proxies using proceeds from fraudulent activities. The EFCC named three individuals, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and former CBN staff member Olubunmi Makinde, as accomplices.

At Friday’s hearing, no one contested the interim order, prompting Okezie to seek a permanent forfeiture. After reviewing a 41-paragraph affidavit from EFCC investigating officer Michael John Idoko, along with 19 exhibits and a written address, Justice Aneke granted the final forfeiture.

The properties listed include shops and apartments in the Cadastral Zones of Maitama and Wuse, and various lands, cumulatively valued at N12.18 billion.