A Lagos Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, has denied Godwin Emefiele’s request to halt proceedings in a forfeiture suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Emefiele, the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, sought to nullify a temporary forfeiture order through an appeal, with his lawyer Olalekan Ojo arguing that proceeding would lead to “judicial rascality”.
Justice Dipeolu ruled that interested parties have the right to approach the Court of Appeal, but only after the trial court’s decision. He emphasized that no decision has been made on applications or substantive issues.
The EFCC seeks forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties and monies, including $2.4 million and several choice properties linked to him. Emefiele’s appeal aims to stop this forfeiture.
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the EFCC, opposed Emefiele’s motion, stating that Emefiele had not formally filed any appeal. Oyedepo noted that Emefiele failed to seek leave from the lower court, a mandatory step when appealing on mixed facts and law.
“We’re urging your lordship to stay proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the appeal court to avoid judicial rascality,” Ojo said during the court’s last sitting on September 12.
The court granted the EFCC permission to temporarily seize Emefiele’s assets on August 25, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation into financial misconduct during his tenure as CBN governor.
