The Supreme Court has restored the final forfeiture of seven high-value properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, overturning a Court of Appeal judgment that ordered a fresh hearing of the case.

The decision was delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, which unanimously allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

The appellate court had earlier nullified the final forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court in Lagos and directed that the matter be retried.

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling reinstates the Federal High Court’s order, effectively returning the seven properties to final forfeiture.

The judgment also brings to a close Emefiele’s legal challenge against the forfeiture order issued by the lower court.

Further details of the Supreme Court’s decision are expected.