Forfeiture of $2.4m: EFCC asks court to dismiss ex-CBN Gov Emefiele’s appeal

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss an appeal filed by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to stop the forfeiture of $2.4 million and several choice properties linked to him.

Emefiele’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Olalekan Ojo, argued before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu on Friday, calling for a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal.

Ojo argued that continuing the case without awaiting the decision of the appellate court would amount to “judicial rascality.”

However, the EFCC, represented by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the motion, asserting that Emefiele had not formally filed any appeal.

Oyedepo stated that the defendant had merely submitted documents to the Court of Appeal registry without following the necessary legal procedure, including obtaining the lower court’s permission to stay the case.

“My Lord, there is no valid appeal before the court,” Oyedepo said. “The defendant rushed to the Court of Appeal, but failed to seek leave from this court, which is mandatory when appealing on the grounds of mixed facts and law.”

Oyedepo also pointed out that there were no exceptional circumstances that warranted halting the trial, urging the court to proceed with hearing the pending applications.

Justice Dipeolu adjourned the ruling on the matter until October 11, 2024.

Recall that on August 25, 2024, the court granted the EFCC permission to temporarily seize $2.045 million in cash, seven prime properties, and shares tied to Emefiele as part of the ongoing investigation into financial misconduct during his tenure as CBN governor.

Forfeiture of $2.4m: EFCC asks court to dismiss ex-CBN Gov Emefiele’s appeal