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

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

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured interim and final forfeiture orders over the estate. Although the property was initially recovered from an unnamed senior government official, it was widely linked to Emefiele.

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Through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, Emefiele filed a motion as an interested party, seeking an extension of time to apply for the setting aside of the forfeiture orders issued on 2 and 24 December 2024.

He contended that the entire forfeiture process was conducted without his knowledge, arguing that the EFCC had published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch newspaper, thus impeding his opportunity to respond. Emefiele further claimed he was simultaneously standing trial in three criminal cases in Abuja and Lagos during the period, making it difficult for him to discover the notice.

He also accused the EFCC of deliberately concealing the proceedings despite their frequent engagements with him on other pending charges.

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie clarified that although the principle of functus officio was raised, courts retain limited jurisdiction to review their decisions in exceptional circumstances. He referenced Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, which governs notice requirements for forfeiture proceedings.

Rejecting Emefiele’s claim of concealment, the judge noted that a half-page publication in a national daily like The Punch could not be described as obscure. He further emphasised that only those with a clear interest in forfeited property are entitled to intervene, following principles similar to those governing joinder in legal suits.

Justice Onwuegbuzie concluded that Emefiele had been given ample opportunity—over 14 days—to contest the forfeiture but failed to act, leading to the dismissal of his application and the resolution of the case in favour of the EFCC.