Emefiele denies ownership of forfeited properties
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has denied ownership of the forfeited $4.7 million, N830 million, and several properties recently forfeited to the federal government.
On Friday, the Federal High Court in Lagos, under Justice Yellim Bogoro, ordered the final forfeiture of the assets following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, in a statement issued by Emefiele’s legal team, led by Olawale Fapohunda, the former CBN governor clarified that while DeepBlue Energy Limited, established in 2009, is owned by a relative of Emefiele, it is not his property.
The statement emphasised that the forfeited assets do not belong to Emefiele or any member of his immediate family.
Furthermore, the legal team pointed out that Justice Aneke of the same court had previously discharged an interim forfeiture order on the assets in question before the final order by Justice Bogoro.
The statement called on the public and all stakeholders to disregard any claims linking Emefiele to the forfeited properties.
“Our attention has been drawn to recent news reports indicating that Justice Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has granted a final forfeiture order on certain properties allegedly linked to one Anita Joy Omoile and her companies, including DeepBlue Energy Limited,” the statement read.
“It is important to clarify that DeepBlue Energy Limited, established in 2009, is owned by a relative of our client, Godwin Emefiele, but not by Emefiele himself.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, we, as the legal representatives of Godwin Emefiele, categorically disassociate our client from the ownership of the assets in question.
“For emphasis, the assets in question do not belong to our client or any member of his immediate family.
“Furthermore, information reaching us suggests that Justice Aneke of the same Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, had previously discharged an interim forfeiture order on the same assets now forfeited by Honourable Justice Bogoro.
“We urge all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of this clarification and stop associating these assets with Godwin Emefiele,” the statement added.
Recall on Friday, Justice Bogoro ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, and multiple properties linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele.
The funds, forfeited to the federal government, were held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank accounts managed by individuals and entities including Omoile Anita Joy, Deep Blue Energy Service Limited, Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd, Lipam Investment Services Limited, Tatler Services Limited, Rosajul Global Resources Ltd, and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
While the properties affected by the interim forfeiture include 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space on Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1 on Esa Street, Imoore Land, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, located in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
Others are a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; an estate at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Justice Bogoro in his judgement held that all these properties and funds are proceeds of unlawful activities which are bound to be forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.
