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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The FCT High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele to reclaim a forfeited estate of 753 duplexes and apartments.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, in his ruling, stated that Emefiele was given ample opportunity of over 14 days to contest the forfeiture but failed to do so.
Emefiele, through his lawyer, Adeyinka Kotoye, SAN, had argued that the forfeiture process occurred without his knowledge due to an alleged obscure publication of the interim forfeiture notice. He contended that his ongoing trials in Abuja and Lagos was without his knowledge.
He also accused the EFCC of “practically making it impossible for him to discover the publication for deliberately concealing the forfeiture proceedings.”
However, Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected these arguments, stating that the half-page notice in a national newspaper like Punch could not reasonably be described as hidden.
The judge emphasized that only those with a “recognizable interest in the property could intervene, hence Emefiele had sufficient time to respond.
The court dismissed the motion, resolving the sole issue in favour of the EFCC.