Emefiele Loses Bid to Reclaim Forfeited 753-Unit Abuja Estate as Court Dismisses Motion
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed a legal challenge by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to reverse the government’s forfeiture of a sprawling estate comprising 753 duplexes and apartments.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who tried the matter, ruled on Monday that Emefiele’s request lacked merit and failed to meet legal requirements to overturn the forfeiture.
The judge upheld the government’s ownership of the estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja a property covering over 150,000 square metres.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier obtained interim and final forfeiture orders against the estate in December 2024.
Although the property was initially seized from an unnamed senior government official, it was widely reported to be linked to Emefiele, whose tenure at the apex bank ended amid multiple corruption allegations.
Emefiele, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Kotoye, filed a motion to set aside the forfeiture, claiming that the EFCC had concealed the proceedings from him.
He argued that the anti-graft agency published the forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch newspaper, making it nearly impossible for him to respond in time, especially while facing criminal charges in other courts in Abuja and Lagos.
He further alleged that the EFCC deliberately failed to inform him of the asset seizure, despite being in active communication with him regarding other investigations.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, however, rejected these arguments. He cited Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which stipulates the required notice procedures in forfeiture cases.
He ruled that a half-page notice in a nationally circulated newspaper like The Punch was sufficient and could not be deemed obscure.
The court emphasized that only individuals who demonstrate a clear, legal interest in a forfeited property can challenge its seizure. In Emefiele’s case, the judge found that the former CBN chief failed to act within the legally allotted time frame of 14 days and did not show sufficient grounds for the court to revisit its prior rulings.
“In the absence of a valid reason for delay and a clear demonstration of ownership interest, the court finds no merit in the application,” Justice Onwuegbuzie ruled. “The motion is hereby dismissed.”
The decision marks a major victory for the EFCC, which described the 753-unit estate as one of its largest asset recoveries to date.
With the court’s decision now final, the estate remains in the custody of the federal government.
Emefiele continues to face several criminal charges, including allegations of fraud and abuse of office, as legal proceedings against him continue in multiple courts.
