Emefiele denies ownership of forfeited properties, clarifies assets linked to relatives

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, has denied owning any of the properties recently ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

In a statement released by his lawyer, Barrister Olawale Fapohunda, Emefiele explained that although some of the forfeited assets are linked to his relatives, neither he nor his immediate family members have any ownership stake in them.

Emefiele’s Reaction to Asset Forfeiture
His statement follows a ruling by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, which ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and several properties allegedly associated with Emefiele. The forfeiture also included:

• $900,000 in investments linked to Anita Joy Omoile, a relative of Emefiele.
• $4.4 million investment associated with DeepBlue Energy Services Ltd.
• ₦283 million in Zenith Bank traced to Liman Investment Ltd.
• €20,000 and £1,999.50 held in Exactquote Bureau De Change, all connected to Omoile.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sought the forfeiture, with Justice Bogoro ruling that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Legal Team Refutes Media Reports
Emefiele’s legal team firmly denied claims that he owns the forfeited assets, clarifying that DeepBlue Energy Limited, a company founded in 2009, belongs to a relative and not to Emefiele himself.

The statement read: “We have noted recent news reports stating that Justice Bogoro granted a final forfeiture order on properties linked to Anita Joy Omoile and her companies, including DeepBlue Energy Limited. It is essential to clarify that DeepBlue Energy Limited is owned by a relative of Mr. Godwin Emefiele but not by Mr. Emefiele himself.”

Emefiele also noted that a previous interim forfeiture order on the same assets was dismissed by Justice Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, questioning the legitimacy of the latest ruling.

Appeal for Fairness
Emefiele called on the public and the media to stop associating him and his immediate family with the forfeited assets, maintaining that they do not belong to him.

He stated, “We urge all stakeholders and the public to take note of this clarification and refrain from linking these assets to Mr. Godwin Emefiele.”

As legal proceedings continue, Emefiele remains under investigation for his financial activities during his time as CBN governor. The EFCC has not yet responded to his latest statement.