The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, has dismissed Godwin Emefiele’s application to reclaim a vast estate comprising 753 duplexes and apartments in Abuja, which was forfeited to the government.
The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, Abuja, measures 150,462.84 square meters.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that Emefiele was given ample opportunity to contest the forfeiture but failed to act.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured an interim and final forfeiture order for the property in favor of the Federal Government.
Emefiele’s lawyer argued that the forfeiture process was conducted without his knowledge and that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of The Punch Newspaper.
However, Justice Onwuegbuzie rejected this argument, stating that the half-page notice in a national newspaper couldn’t reasonably be described as hidden.
The court’s decision means the estate will remain forfeited to the government. This development is part of the ongoing efforts to recover assets allegedly looted by public officials.
