By: Ayooluwa Ayobami
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $2.045 million, seven prime properties, and share certificates belonging to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.
In a ruling handed down on Friday, Judge Deinde Dipeolu confirmed the final forfeiture of the funds and two share certificates from Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust.
The court noted that neither Emefiele nor any interested party contested the initial interim forfeiture.
The judge emphasised that Emefiele failed to demonstrate a legitimate connection between his earnings from his positions at a new-generation bank and the CBN and the acquisition of the properties in question.
As a result, the court also ruled in favour of forfeiting the seven prime pieces of land, citing the same lack of evidence regarding lawful income.