Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the final forfeiture of an estate measuring 150,462.84 square metres, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, to the Federal Government.

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured interim and final forfeiture orders against the property, which was initially recovered from an unnamed former senior government official. However, the estate has since been widely linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

 

Through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, Emefiele filed a motion seeking an extension of time to challenge the forfeiture orders granted on December 2 and December 24, 2024. He argued that he was unaware of the proceedings, claiming the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch newspaper, making timely response difficult. Emefiele also contended that his attention was divided as he was simultaneously facing multiple criminal trials in Abuja and Lagos.

 

Additionally, Emefiele accused the EFCC of concealing the forfeiture proceedings from him, despite their regular interactions over other pending charges.

 

In his ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie emphasized that although the doctrine of functus officio limits a court’s power after delivering judgment, there are exceptions allowing reconsideration. He found that notice requirements under Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, were properly followed.

 

Rejecting Emefiele’s claim that the publication was obscure, the judge held that a half-page notice in a widely circulated national newspaper like The Punch was sufficient. He further noted that only those demonstrating a clear legal interest in forfeited assets could intervene, similar to principles of joinder in civil suits.

 

Justice Onwuegbuzie concluded that Emefiele had been afforded more than 14 days to challenge the forfeiture but failed to do so. The court dismissed Emefiele’s motion, ruling in favour of the EFCC.