The Supreme Court has reinstated the final forfeiture of seven high-value properties linked to former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, overturning an earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal that had nullified the forfeiture order and directed a fresh hearing.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court restored the decision of the Federal High Court in Lagos, effectively vesting ownership of the properties in the Federal Government.
The ruling brings to an end Emefiele’s legal challenge against the forfeiture order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The forfeited assets include two fully detached duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped plot and a bungalow on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi; a four-bedroom duplex on Probyn Road, Ikoyi; an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; an eight-unit apartment building on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi; and another duplex on Bank Road, Ikoyi.
The properties were initially ordered forfeited by the Federal High Court in Lagos in November 2024 following an application filed by the EFCC. The trial court also ordered the final forfeiture of $2.045 million and two share certificates linked to Emefiele.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in June 2025, holding that individuals claiming ownership of some of the assets were not given a fair hearing. It consequently ordered that the case be returned to the Federal High Court for fresh proceedings.
Dissatisfied with the appellate court’s decision, the EFCC approached the Supreme Court, seeking the restoration of the original forfeiture order.
In its judgment, the apex court upheld the anti-graft agency’s appeal, set aside the Court of Appeal’s ruling and reinstated the Federal High Court’s final forfeiture order, confirming that the seven properties are to remain permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
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