The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered the final forfeiture of properties belonging to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele. The apex court overturned an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal which had ordered a retrial of the case.
Supreme Court ruling details
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, unanimously allowed the appeal and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division. The lower court had nullified the forfeiture order made by the Federal High Court in Lagos. The Supreme Court's decision effectively restores the final forfeiture of the assets, bringing to an end the legal challenge mounted by Emefiele against the Federal High Court's order.
List of forfeited properties
The forfeited properties include two fully detached duplexes at 17B Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped parcel of land measuring 1,919.592 square metres on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi; a bungalow at 65A Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi; a four-bedroom duplex at 12A Probyn Road, Ikoyi; an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; eight units of apartments on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi; and a duplex on a 2,217.87 square metre plot at 2A Bank Road, Ikoyi.
Legal implications
The Supreme Court's ruling is final and binding, effectively closing the legal proceedings regarding the forfeiture of these assets. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles involving the former central bank governor.
