The Supreme Court has affirmed the final forfeiture of properties and $2.045 million linked to former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to the Federal Government.
In an unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, the apex court set aside an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which had overturned the forfeiture order.
The Supreme Court held that the assets and funds in question should remain permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, effectively restoring the earlier decision in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ruling marks a significant development in the legal proceedings involving the former CBN governor, who has been facing multiple investigations and prosecutions over allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office since leaving office.
With the judgment, the Supreme Court has brought finality to the dispute over the ownership of the affected properties and the $2.045 million, confirming that they will remain in the custody of the Federal Government.
The apex court’s decision overturns the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had nullified the forfeiture order, reaffirming the authority of the lower court’s original ruling.
More to follow….
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