A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The court directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper, inviting anyone interested in the funds to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
The order followed an ex parte application by EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, who alleged that the funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities by Emefiele, who is currently facing three criminal trials.
The EFCC investigator, David Jayeoba, stated that credible intelligence led to the discovery of the funds in a bank account, which were allegedly laundered through a foreign account in Mauritius before being returned to Nigeria.
The court heard that between 2021 and 2022, during a period of forex scarcity, two directors of Donatone Limited collected bribes on behalf of Emefiele to facilitate forex approvals.
The directors, Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi, allegedly used the firm to collect bribes and gratification on behalf of Emefiele, with payments totaling $26,552,000 made into the account of the firm.
Justice Ayokunle Faji granted the interim forfeiture order and adjourned the case until June 25 for the hearing on the final forfeiture.
This development comes days after another Federal High Court ordered the interim forfeiture of $4.7 million, N830 million, and properties linked to Emefiele, who is facing charges bordering on procurement fraud, authorized redesign of the naira notes, and forgery of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature to allegedly move funds out of the CBN.