Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has denied ownership of the $4.7 million, N830 million, and multiple properties recently forfeited to the Federal Government. The final forfeiture order was issued on Friday by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released late Friday by his legal team, led by Olawale Fapohunda, Emefiele distanced himself and his immediate family from the ownership of the assets in question, emphasizing that some of the assets belonged to his relatives, not him.
Court Orders Final Forfeiture
Justice Bogoro’s ruling came after dismissing an application by an interested party seeking to prevent the final forfeiture judgment. The EFCC had filed the application to take over the allegedly illicit funds and assets, which were reportedly linked to Emefiele and his associates.
This forfeiture order includes funds and properties allegedly connected to one Anita Joy Omoile and her companies, including DeepBlue Energy Limited. However, Emefiele’s legal team insists that he has no direct ownership of these assets.
Emefiele’s Response: Assets Do Not Belong to Him
In the statement, Emefiele’s legal representatives clarified that the company in question, DeepBlue Energy Limited, was established in 2009 by one of his relatives, and not by him.
“It is important to clarify that DeepBlue Energy Limited, established in 2009, is owned by a relative of our client, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, but not by Mr. Emefiele himself.”
His legal team categorically denied any ownership links between Emefiele, his immediate family, and the forfeited assets, urging the public and media outlets to stop associating him with the properties and funds.
“For emphasis, the assets in question do not belong to our client or any member of his immediate family.”
Conflicting Court Rulings
Emefiele’s legal team also pointed out an apparent legal inconsistency, revealing that Justice Aneke of the same Federal High Court in Lagos had previously discharged an interim forfeiture order on these same assets.
“Information reaching us suggests that Justice Aneke of the same Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, had previously discharged an interim forfeiture order on the same assets now forfeited by Honourable Justice Bogoro.”
This suggests that the assets were previously cleared from forfeiture before the recent ruling by Justice Bogoro, raising concerns over conflicting judicial decisions on the matter.
Call for Public Clarification
Emefiele’s legal team has urged stakeholders, the media, and the general public to take note of this clarification and refrain from linking their client to the seized assets.
“We urge all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of this clarification and stop associating these assets with Mr. Godwin Emefiele.”
Ongoing Legal Battles
The former CBN governor remains embroiled in multiple legal battles, as his tenure continues to be scrutinized following allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption. While he denies ownership of these latest forfeited assets, the case adds to the controversies surrounding his time as Nigeria’s apex banker.
As legal proceedings continue, this latest development raises questions about the true ownership of the seized assets, the consistency of judicial rulings, and the broader anti-corruption campaign being waged against former public officials in Nigeria.
