Metro

Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Over N12.18bn Properties Linked To Emefiele

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2024

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government properties valued at over N11.14bn and another N1.04 billion linked to the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order of permanent forfeiture after hearing an application filed and argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel Chineye Okezie.

On June 5, 2024, The judge had upheld the anti-graft agency’s motion filed and argued by its counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo for a temporary forfeiture of the properties.

Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of having bought the choice properties by proxy, with the proceeds of fraud.

The EFCC named two current and one former CBN staff as Emefiele’s accomplices in the alleged fraud.

The trio, according to the affidavit filed in support of the application, are Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde a former CBN staff and others.

The properties are mostly located in highbrow parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Justice Aneke ordered the EFCC to publish the order for interim forfeiture in a national newspaper for any interested party to show cause why the final order of forfeiture should not be made.

The judge then adjourned for a hearing of the application for final forfeiture.

Upon resumption on June 21, no party appeared in court to contest the judge’s interim order and Chineye Okezie moved her application for the permanent forfeiture.

After reading a 41-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an EFCC Investigating Officer, Michael John Idoko, the 19 Exhibits attached, a Written Address signed by Okezie, and after hearing Okezie’s motion, Justice Aneke granted the application.

The properties were listed by the EFCC in two schedules, A and B.

The judge said: “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: – that a final forfeiture order of this honourable court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A herein which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

They include shops and apartments at Cadastral Zone Maitama and Wuse.

For Schedule B, Justice Aneke added: “That a final forfeiture order of this Honourable Court is hereby made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule B herein which properties were traced to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The properties include lands and apartments which were paid for on behalf of Oluwaseun at a total value of N1.04 billion.

According to the affidavit, Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo working with Olubunmi Makinde “used their positions and Influence as CBN staff to secure retail and Special allocation of Foreign Exchange to different companies in exchange for kickbacks.

“That Olubunmi Makinde is the link between Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo and the various companies applying for the purchase of foreign exchange.

“That Obayemi Oluwaseun Teben and Akomolafe Adebayo as staffs of the Central Bank of Nigeria has access to the bidding processes and bidding Data of companies who has applied for the approval of form Ms to the CBN through their various commercial banks.”

Related Topics:Court Emefiele Godwin Emefiele

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Metro

Imo Police To Arraign Five Men For Alleged Brutalisation Of Married Woman

Published

8 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Imo State Police Command has concluded arrangements for the arraignment of five men who brutalised a woman, Mrs. Ndudiamaka Agu, in Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of the state.

A viral video, which has been circulating for more than a week, shows how the men allegedly manhandled the woman, including lifting and throwing her heavily against a building wall, leading to public outcry.

The men were said to have approached Agu unexpectedly in her marital home and attacked her because she was suspected of cooperating with some policemen during their visit to carry out an investigation in the community.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the spokesperson for the command, Henry Okoye, regretted that one of the men had run away, stating that the police were in pursuit of him to arrest him.

The statement disclosed that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Aboki Danjuma, had assured that justice would be served in the matter.

Okoye, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “The Imo State Police Command wishes to provide an update on the investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, into the viral video showing Mrs. Agu Ndididamaka being assaulted in Emekuku, Owerri North LGA. In furtherance of the CP’s directive for swift action, operatives of the X-Squad Unit have arrested five suspects linked to the barbaric assault.”

The arrested suspects are Onyekachi Njoku, 40 years ‘m’; Chiazor Osuji, 45 years ‘m’; Chukwuma Iwuala, 46 years ‘m’; Eugene Njoku, ‘m’; Njoku Emmanuel, 35 years ‘m’ all of Uboegbelu in Emekuku in Owerri North LGA.”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) disclosed, “All five suspects have made confessional statements admitting their roles in the attack.”

“Meanwhile, the sixth suspect, identified as Onyedikachi Njoku, is still at large, and operatives are intensifying efforts to apprehend him.”

On the extent reached to take the suspects to the court, he explained: “The Commissioner of Police condemns the assault in its entirety and reaffirms that intimidation of citizens who lawfully cooperate with the Police will not be tolerated. The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court soon with the appropriate criminal charges.”

The Guardian recalled that soon after the men assaulted Agu, many Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) took up the matter, escalating that the suspects must be apprehended, arraigned, and justice served.

Metro

Customs Intercepts Lion Cub, Monkeys At Seme Border, Arrests Suspects

Published

9 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Seme Area Command has intercepted one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in a vehicle to the Benin Republic during a stop-and-search operation along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.

According to a statement by Public Relations Officer of the command, Isah Sulaiman, the consignments of endangered wildlife were discovered on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at about 0219hrs, after operatives stopped a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA at Gbaji.

The command stated that upon inspection, the operatives discovered one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Wale Adenuga, said two individuals, identified as Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, claimed ownership of the wildlife, admitting they had purchased the animals in Kano and were heading to the Benin Republic.

Adenuga said the two suspects were unable to provide legitimate documentation for transporting the animals and have been taken into custody for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking.

The command stated that the interception underscores Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to protecting its biodiversity and its broader efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the country’s (1).

“In line with Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES and consistent with global standards for wildlife protection, the endangered species were immediately confiscated and brought to the command for documentation,” the command stated.

According to the command, the animals were subsequently handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative on the same day for proper care, safety, and expert handling.

Adenuga, however, reaffirmed the command’s determination to enforce all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation and border security.

The CAC pledged the command’s continued collaboration with relevant agencies to stem illegal trade and smuggling of endangered species and protect the country’s biodiversity.

In other news, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 151 wraps of Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp) and 15 wraps of Canadian Loud, intercepted during routine patrols, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Owerri, Imo State, for further investigation and action.

In a statement, the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Bishir Balogun, said the Cannabis Sativa, weighing 77,500 grammes, and the Canadian Loud, weighing 8,600 grammes, were seized after operatives detected the concealed substances during patrol.

Metro

Drug Barons Abandon Sienna Buses With 1,455kg Of Cannabis In Edo, Flee

Published

10 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

A drug trafficking cartel has reportedly abandoned two Sienna buses conveying one thousand four hundred and fifty-five kilograms (1,455 kg) of cannabis along the Okhokho-ISI community route in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.

They were forced to abandon the Sienna buses and flee after a hot chase by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Edo State Command.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, Edo State Commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

“A team of dedicated officers intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses suspected of transporting a substantial quantity of narcotics along the Okhokho-ISI community route in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area,” the statement said.

According to him, “both buses were said to have commenced their journey at Okpuje, a community that is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

“The first vehicle seized, a light blue Toyota Sienna with registration number EPE 545 EV, was found to be carrying an impressive 666 kilograms of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

“Following this, a dark ash Toyota Sienna bearing registration number ABC 142 CD was also intercepted, containing 789 kilograms of the same illicit substance.”

He, however, said “no suspects were apprehended during the operation, as the individuals responsible deserted the vehicles and made a hasty escape, leaving the substantial drug exhibits behind.”

Mitchell, who issued a stern warning to drug traffickers operating in the region, said “the NDLEA is actively pursuing leads and conducting thorough investigations aimed at bringing these traffickers to justice.”

He added, “The ongoing investigations signify our relentless approach towards eradicating drug trafficking in Edo State.

“Those who think they can evade the law and exploit our communities through illicit drug trade should think again.

“We are prepared and committed to enforcing the law with unprecedented measures against harmful substances and their distributors.”

The Commander further reassured the public that the NDLEA remains vigilant in its patrols and operational capacity, emphasising the collaboration with local communities to ensure safety and a drug abuse-free society.

He encouraged citizens to report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking, ensuring that they play an integral role in the fight against drugs in Edo State.