Crime
High Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Application To Recover Forfeited 753 Abuja Duplexes
High Court Dismisses Emefiele’s Application To Recover Forfeited 753 Abuja Duplexes
High court dismisses Emefiele’s application to recover forfeited 753 Abuja duplexes. A federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Apo has dismissed an application filed by Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), seeking to reclaim an estate seized by the federal government.
On December 2, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the final forfeiture of an estate in the FCT.
The estate, located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone CO9, Lokogoma District, covers 150,500 square metres in the country’s capital and contains 753 duplexes.
Although the estate was initially linked to a company that later denied ownership, Emefiele, through his lawyer, A.M. Kotoye, filed a motion as an interested party in the suit.
The former CBN governor sought an extension of time to apply to set aside the interim and final forfeiture orders made by the court in December 2024.
Emefiele contended that the entire forfeiture process was conducted without his knowledge and alleged that the EFCC published the interim forfeiture notice in an obscure section of a newspaper, making it difficult for him to respond timely.
According to him, he had been standing trial in three separate criminal cases across different courts in Abuja and Lagos during the period, making it impossible for him to discover the publication.
He also accused the EFCC of deliberately concealing the forfeiture proceedings, despite the agency’s frequent interactions with him on other pending charges.
However, in his ruling, Jude Onwuegbuzie, the presiding judge, held that although the principle of functus officio—which means a court becomes powerless after delivering judgment— was raised, the court still had the authority to revisit its decisions under certain conditions.
Forfeited 753 Abuja Duplexes
The judge pointed out that section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, clearly outlines the notice requirements for forfeiture proceedings.
He rejected Emefiele’s claim that the publication was obscure, noting that the half-page notice in a national newspaper was sufficient and could not reasonably be described as hidden.
Onwuegbuzie emphasised that only individuals with a demonstrable interest in forfeited property are entitled to challenge such proceedings, similar to the rules guiding applications to join ongoing lawsuits.
The judge held that Emefiele had been given an adequate opportunity, spanning over 14 days, to contest the forfeiture but failed to do so.
Consequently, the judge dismissed his motion and ruled in favour of the EFCC.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
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