Court Orders Final Forfeiture of $2m, Seven Properties Linked to Emefiele

Published

1 year ago

November 2, 2024

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of $2m, Seven Properties Linked to Emefiele

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, November 1, 2024, ordered the final forfeiture of the sum of $2.045m, seven landed properties and the two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust linked to a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Dipeolu gave the order, following a motion on notice filed and argued by a team of lawyers led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The properties are: two fully detached duplexes of identical structures at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped land, measuring 1919.592sqm with Survey Plan No. DS/LS/340 at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow at No. 65A, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, (formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos and a four-bedroom duplex at 12 A, Probyn Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Others are: an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; 8 units of an undetached apartment on a plot measuring 2457.60sqm at No. 8A, Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land measuring 2217.87sqm at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Justice Akintayo Aluko, a vacation Judge, had, on August 15, 2024, ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties, following an ex parte application filed by the EFCC through its lawyer, C.C. Okezie.

Moving the application dated August 13, 2024 and filed August 14, 2024, Okezie had told the court that the properties, cash and shares were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities by Emefiele.

In his ruling, Justice Aluko had granted the application as prayed and also ordered the Commission to publish the interim order in any of these newspapers-The Punch, The Nation or The Guardian- and the EFCC website within 14days for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

However, Emefiele failed to contest the forfeiture within the court’s stipulated time frame.

During the sitting on October 11, 2024 ,the EFCC counsel had applied for the final forfeiture of the properties.

Moving the application for the final forfeiture of the properties on Friday, Oyedepo told the court that the Commission had complied with the order of the court regarding the publication.

The Judge, after listening to the submissions of the EFCC’ s counsel, ordered the final forfeiture of the properties.

According to the Judge, Emefiele was not able to connect his lawful earnings from both Zenith Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the acquisition of the properties.

The court also held that the former CBN Governor failed to provide documents or links to show that he owned the properties.

Justice Dipeolu held that “ the conclusion that can be deduced is that there must be something dark about the acquisition of the properties which Emefiele and the companies do not want to come to light”.

The judge further held “that the interested party has failed to demonstrate any lawful interest in the properties and that they were acquired from his legitimate earnings. I, therefore, order the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of all those properties…which are reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities”.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

Entertainment

2Baba Cries Out For Help in Now Deleted Instagram Post

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

This morning, 2Baba posted “Help Me” on his Instagram stories, but less than 20 minutes later, the message vanished.

For the past few days, his relationship with his current wife, Senator Natasha Osawaru, has been under serious scrutiny, as a series of public incidents have surfaced and fuelled widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

His cry for help should not be taken lightly. But who will answer him?

Will it be his family, his close friends, or the entertainment industry that has benefited from his legendary career?

At this point, one thing is clear. The music icon seems to be calling for real support and those around him cannot afford to look away.

BREAKING: Unknown Gunmen Attack Gov. Otti’s Advance Team In Imo, As Scores Were Kidnapped From A Bus Along Owerri-Road Road

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

An advance team of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, along the Umuowa–Ihite axis in Imo State.

The three-member team was en route to Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, when the attack occurred shortly before the airport junction.

In a statement electronically signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Abia Government clarified that Governor Otti’s main convoy was not involved in the incident and was nowhere near the location at the time.

“The convoy of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was not attacked. No member of the advance team or any other person sustained injury, and no life was lost,” the statement stressed, urging the public to disregard rumours suggesting otherwise.

It was learned that Security agencies have been notified, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

Meanwhile, a commercial bus plying along Owerri -Aba road towards the Ngor Okpala axis was attacked Monday and scores of passengers were feared kidnapped by yet-to-identify gunmen.

Gunmen attack Ngige’s convoy in Anambra

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ngige who confirmed the incident to newsmen, stated that he was not in the convoy when the attack occurred. He mentioned that several people were shot and injured.

“I was not in the convoy. I’m still alive and well. Those hoodlums have started again. I came to my state to relax, but what happened is unfortunate. I will go back to Abuja. But I assure those who did this, they will not go unpunished.” he said

The vehicles were reportedly returning from a mechanic workshop in Nkpor when the gunmen struck along the busy Umuoji–Nkpor Road leading to Alor, Ngige’s hometown.

According to Mr. Fred Chukwulobelu, Ngige’s former Special Adviser on Media, a policeman in the pilot car was shot, and the attackers, dressed in police and army uniforms, took away his gun and uniform.

He also confirmed that a woman filming the incident was fatally shot. He added that a shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also shot; he lost significant blood and is scheduled for surgery, but is expected to recover fully.

The pilot car was riddled with bullets, while the wounded escort leader has undergone surgery and is also expected to recover.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it has launched a state-wide manhunt for the perpetrators.