Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed an appeal challenging the final forfeiture of a vast estate in Abuja comprising 753 housing units. The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, spans over 150,000 square meters and was seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following court orders in December 2024.
Emefiele’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria A.M. Kotoye, contends that he was not adequately informed about the forfeiture proceedings. They argue that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch newspaper, making it difficult for Emefiele to respond promptly. Additionally, they claim that the EFCC deliberately concealed the forfeiture case from him, despite ongoing engagements on other charges.
In April 2025, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, dismissed Emefiele’s application to reclaim the estate. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the EFCC had followed due process and that publishing the notice in a national newspaper was sufficient. The judge emphasized that only individuals who can demonstrate a legally recognizable interest in the forfeited property are entitled to intervene.
Emefiele’s appeal, filed on April 30, 2025, seeks to overturn the trial court’s judgment and annul the interim and final forfeiture orders. He argues that the orders were based on hearsay and lacked proper evidence, asserting that he possesses both legal and equitable interests in the estate. He also maintains that the failure of the trial judge to properly evaluate the affidavit and documents before him resulted in a miscarriage of justice.
Meanwhile, Emefiele’s legal team has written to the Minister of Housing, urging the government to halt all plans to sell the estate until the appeal is resolved. The federal government had recently announced intentions to auction the estate to low- and middle-income Nigerians.