The Traffic

Court Dismisses Emefiele's Application to Reclaim Forfeited Estate

By Mabeni Aboh

The FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja, has dismissed an application filed by former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to reclaim a vast estate in Abuja comprising 753 duplexes and apartments. The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, and measuring 150,462.84 square meters, has been forfeited to the government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured an interim and final forfeiture order of the property in favor of the Federal Government. Emefiele claimed the forfeiture process was conducted without his knowledge, but the court ruled that he was given ample opportunity to contest the forfeiture and failed to act.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie emphasized that the court retained the authority to review its decisions and rejected Emefiele's argument that the publication of the interim forfeiture notice was obscure. The court ordered the final forfeiture of the estate to the Federal Government.