The Federal High Court in Lagos has set 12 September 2024 for the hearing of all applications related to a lawsuit seeking the permanent forfeiture of assets and funds linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu scheduled the hearing after considering submissions from the counsels involved in the case.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while Senior Advocate Olalekan Ojo appeared for Emefiele. Additionally, Chibuzor Opara appeared on behalf of the occupants of 8A Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, one of the properties being contested for forfeiture.

Buhari-Bala informed the court that the session was initially set for a compliance report following the court’s orders from 15 August 2024. On that day, Justice Akintayo Aluko, who was then the vacation judge, ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.045 million and various properties linked to the embattled former CBN Governor.

The court also instructed that the forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper to notify any interested parties and allow them to contest the permanent forfeiture.

Buhari-Bala further informed Justice Dipeolu that the EFCC had complied with the publication order, with the forfeiture notice published on 28 August 2024. She added that two applications had been received from Emefiele’s legal team, but they were not yet ready for hearing. She requested a short adjournment to prepare her response.

In response, Ojo argued that his client’s applications were intended to halt further proceedings in the forfeiture suit. He pointed out that, under the law, such an application should take precedence over the substantive suit. Ojo then requested the court to adjourn the hearing until 9 September 2024, for a review of Emefiele’s applications.

Meanwhile, Opara, representing the occupants of 8A Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, requested an adjournment to allow him time to complete and file the necessary processes on behalf of his clients.

After listening to the submissions from all parties, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to 12 September 2024 for the hearing of all applications.

Justice Aluko, on 15 August, ordered the interim forfeiture of the $2.045 million and several properties tied to Emefiele, following an application by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo.

The properties include 8A Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi; two duplexes at 17B Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; undeveloped land at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi; a bungalow at 65A Oyinkan Abayomi Drive; a four-bedroom duplex at 12A Probyn Road, Ikoyi; an industrial complex under construction in Agbor, Delta State; and eight apartment units at 8A Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi. Additionally, a full duplex on Bank Road, Ikoyi, and two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust, belonging to Emefiele, were also ordered for temporary forfeiture.

The court mandated the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper within 14 days, inviting any interested parties to present reasons why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.