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Emefiele Abuja land forfeiture. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has rejected a legal motion filed by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to overturn the forfeiture of a massive 150,462.84 square metre land in Lokogoma, Abuja.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, April 28, 2025, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acted within the law when it finalized the forfeiture order on December 2, 2024, without further objections from Emefiele or his legal team.
The case, identified as Suit No: M/226/25, revolved around Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma. The EFCC alleged the property was acquired through illicit means and requested that it be forfeited to the Federal Government.
⚖️ Emefiele’s Grounds for Appeal
Emefiele argued that:
- He was not properly informed of the forfeiture.
- The court lacked jurisdiction.
- The publication was obscure and unnoticed.
However, Justice Onwuegbuzie disagreed, stating that the EFCC’s publication in The Punch newspaper on November 6, 2024, was clearly visible, occupying half a page on page 31. He concluded that the legal time window for filing objections—14 days—was not utilized.
“Emefiele reneged and neglected to utilise the opportunity provided,” the judge ruled.
📌 EFCC’s Position
The EFCC, represented by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), countered with a 13-paragraph affidavit asserting that due process was followed and that Emefiele’s claims were unfounded. The court upheld this view.
✅ Final Judgment
The court ultimately dismissed the motion and affirmed that the land remains permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, closing the chapter on one of Emefiele’s ongoing legal battles related to corruption allegations.
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This news was first reported by Naija News
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