February 21, (THEWILL) – The legal Team of former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has debunked media reports that Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday, ordered the final forfeiture of $4,719,054 million, N830,875,611 million, and properties, owned by the former apex bank chief.
A statement signed on Friday, by Olawale Fapohunda Esq., on behalf of the legal team, dissociated Emefiele from ownership of the forfeited funds and assets.
The statement clarified that DeepBlue Energy Limited, established in 2009, is owned by Emefiele’s relative.
It reads: “Our attention has been drawn to recent news reports indicating that Justice Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has granted a final forfeiture order on certain properties allegedly linked to one Anita Joy Omoile and her companies, including DeepBlue Energy Limited.
“It is important to clarify that DeepBlue Energy Limited, established in 2009, is owned by a relative of our client, Mr Godwin Emefiele, but not by Mr Emefiele himself.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, we, as the legal representatives of Godwin Emefiele, categorically disassociate our client with the ownership of the assets in question. For emphasis, the assets in question does not belong to our client or any member of his immediate family.
“Furthermore, information reaching us suggests that Justice Aneke of the same Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, had previously discharged an interim forfeiture order on the same assets now forfeited by Honourable Justice Bogoro
“We urge all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of this clarification and stop associating these assets with Mr. Godwin Emefiele.”
Justice Bogoro, on Friday, granted a final forfeiture order on the monies and assets linked to Anita Joy Omoile, CEO of Deep Blue Energy Services Limited.
THEWILL recalls that a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice C.J. Aneke had on May 14, 2024, vacated the interim forfeiture order sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the monies and properties belonging to Anita Omoile, CEO of Deep Blue Energy Services Limited.
However, in a determined effort to target the funds and assets, the anti-graft agency after losing before Justice Aneke, on May 24, 2024, filed another ex parte application before Justice Bogoro.
According to EFCC counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, the disputed funds are held in First Bank; Titan Bank and Zenith Bank, being operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Ltd and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.
The properties include “94 units of an 11-storey building under construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club) Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-story office space located at 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos; and 2 properties acquired from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.Twin Completed property Lakes Estate, Lekki.
“One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa LGA; an estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; a land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property situated at 8, Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
Granting the final order on Friday, Justice Bogoro said, “I hold that Anita Omoile is a close crony of the former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele. Consequently, I find that all the monies and properties in the schedule are finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
