FCT HIGH COURT DISMISSES EMEFIELE’S BID TO RECLAIM FORFEITED ABUJA ESTATE
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Monday dismissed an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to reclaim a vast estate comprising 753 duplexes and apartments already forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie upheld the final forfeiture of the estate—spanning 150,462.84 square meters—located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured both interim and final forfeiture orders for the property.
Emefiele alleged that the EFCC deliberately concealed the forfeiture proceedings despite their ongoing engagement with him over other charges. However, the court rejected his claim, affirming that a half-page publication in Punch newspaper met legal notice requirements and could not be deemed obscure.
Justice Onwuegbuzie emphasized that while courts are generally functus officio—unable to revisit final decisions—they can review judgments in specific circumstances. He referenced Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which outlines proper notice procedures in such cases.
The court concluded that Emefiele had sufficient time—14 days—to contest the forfeiture but failed to do so. The judge therefore dismissed his application, ruling in favor of the EFCC.
