Embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has fired back at the federal government, filing an appeal to overturn a court ruling that granted permanent forfeiture of 753 housing units in Abuja’s Lokogoma district. In a fresh legal twist, Emefiele accuses the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of ambush tactics, claiming he was “unaware” of the original proceedings.
The sprawling real estate asset—previously linked to another unnamed former government official—was seized by the EFCC following a court order. However, Emefiele, through his counsel A.M. Kotoye (SAN), insists he holds a “direct interest” in the estate and should have been part of the forfeiture hearings.
“I was unaware of the forfeiture,” Emefiele stated in his affidavit, revealing that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of a local newspaper—allegedly making it nearly impossible to trace.
Emefiele further claimed that his ability to respond was impaired by his ongoing legal battles in Abuja and Lagos, where he faces multiple criminal charges. Despite these entanglements, he maintains that the EFCC—already in active litigation with him—deliberately kept him in the dark about the forfeiture.
The trial court, however, struck out these claims, holding that due process was followed, and that the notice “could not reasonably be described as hidden.”
Still, on April 30, 2025, Emefiele filed an official appeal challenging the ruling made on April 28, demanding:
- A reversal of the judgment
- Nullification of both interim and final forfeiture orders dated November 1 and December 2, 2024
- A reconsideration of his earlier application filed on January 28, 2025
Emefiele’s legal team argues that the original judgment was built on hearsay, suspicion, and lacked solid evidence. He also contends that his application was dismissed without proper judicial scrutiny, describing the ruling as a “miscarriage of justice.”
“The failure of the trial judge to properly evaluate the affidavit and documents before him is perverse,” he wrote in his appeal.
Emefiele insists he holds both legal and equitable interests in the estate—claims the trial court brushed aside due to lack of documented proof of ownership.
“The orders were made in breach of the 1999 Constitution and are therefore null and void,” he added.
In a separate but urgent move, his legal team has written to the Minister of Housing, demanding an immediate halt to any planned auction or sale of the estate until the appeal is resolved.
“We are aware that the properties may soon be sold to the public. We have already served the EFCC with a notice of appeal and an injunction,” the letter warns.
The federal government had previously announced plans to auction the estate to low- and middle-income Nigerians—a move that could now be legally stalled pending the appellate court’s decision.
As Emefiele fights to reclaim what he insists is his rightful property, questions loom over the transparency of the forfeiture process and whether all due rights were observed. With the appeal now in motion, any attempt to sell the estate could spark legal chaos, making this a case to watch closely in Nigeria’s evolving anti-corruption landscape.
🔔 Need for Update:
Further updates are expected as the Court of Appeal reviews Emefiele’s petition, and as responses emerge from the EFCC and Ministry of Housing regarding the halted estate sale.
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