By Adenike Lawal
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo has struck out an attempt by former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to recover an estate of 753 residential units earlier forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that Emefiele’s motion lacked merit, affirming that proper notice of the forfeiture was given through a national newspaper publication.
The judge said Emefiele had ample time to challenge the interim and final forfeiture orders issued in December 2024 but failed to act.
The property, located on over 150,000 square meters at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, had been linked to a senior government official before Emefiele emerged as an interested party.
Emefiele claimed he was unaware of the proceedings due to multiple criminal trials he was facing at the time and accused the EFCC of hiding information from him.
However, the court dismissed his arguments, insisting he had no strong legal claim to the estate and could not intervene at this stage.
Justice Onwuegbuzie upheld the EFCC’s position, sealing the final forfeiture of the massive property to the Federal Government.
