JUST IN: EFCC Urges Court To Dismiss Emefiele’s Appeal Over $2.4m Forfeiture

EFCC Urges Court To Dismiss Emefiele’s Appeal Over $2.4m Forfeiture Written By Oshiobugie John– The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on the Federal High Court in Lagos to reject an appeal by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, seeking to block the forfeiture of $2.4 million and several high-value properties linked to him.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During Friday’s proceedings before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olalekan Ojo, requested a suspension of the case pending the outcome of an appeal. Ojo argued that moving forward without the appellate court’s decision would amount to “judicial rascality.”

However, the EFCC’s representative, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the motion, stating that Emefiele had not officially filed an appeal. Oyedepo argued that the defendant had merely submitted documents to the Court of Appeal without following proper legal protocol, including seeking the lower court’s permission to pause proceedings.

“There is no valid appeal before this court,” Oyedepo argued. “The defendant rushed to the Court of Appeal without securing leave from this court, a mandatory step when appealing on mixed facts and law.”

Oyedepo further argued that there were no extraordinary circumstances justifying a delay in the trial and urged the court to proceed with hearing the pending applications.

Justice Dipeolu has scheduled a ruling on the matter for October 11, 2024.

It should be recalled that on August 25, 2024, the court granted the EFCC the authority to temporarily seize $2.045 million, seven prime properties, and shares linked to Emefiele, as part of an investigation into alleged financial misconduct during his time as CBN governor.