- The Supreme Court restored the forfeiture of seven properties linked to Godwin Emefiele
- The court overturned the Court of Appeal’s order for a fresh hearing
- The ruling permanently transfers the assets to the Federal Government
The Supreme Court has reinstated the final forfeiture of seven luxury properties linked to former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, reversing a Court of Appeal ruling that had ordered the case to be reheard.
Eko Hot Blog gathered a five-member panel of the apex court, headed by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, unanimously upheld the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), setting aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which had nullified the forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court.
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The lead judgment was delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris on behalf of the panel.
The ruling restores the November 1, 2024, decision of Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which directed that the properties be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government after finding they were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
The EFCC’s case before the Supreme Court was argued by a legal team led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
Emefiele was represented by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo and Labi Lawal.
With the apex court’s verdict, Emefiele’s legal challenge against the forfeiture order has been brought to an end.
The assets affected by the ruling include two detached duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped parcel of land on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi; a bungalow on the same road; a four-bedroom duplex on Probyn Road, Ikoyi; an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots in Agbor, Delta State; eight apartment units on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi; and another duplex on Bank Road, Ikoyi.
The Federal High Court had also ordered the forfeiture of $2.045 million in cash and share certificates belonging to Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust, an aspect of the judgment that was not contested.
Although the Federal High Court initially granted the EFCC’s application for permanent forfeiture in November 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision in June 2025, holding that individuals claiming ownership of some of the assets were denied fair hearing. It subsequently ordered a fresh trial.
Unhappy with the appellate court’s decision, the EFCC approached the Supreme Court, asking it to restore the original judgment.
In its ruling delivered on Friday, the apex court agreed with the anti-graft agency, overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision and reaffirmed the Federal High Court’s final forfeiture order, transferring ownership of the listed properties to the Federal Government.
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