Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn a ruling that handed the federal government ownership of a massive 753-unit housing estate in Lokogoma, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier secured a court order for the forfeiture of the estate, which was initially linked to an unnamed former public official. However, Emefiele, through his lawyer A.M. Kotoye, insists he has a vested interest in the property and was wrongly excluded from the case.
“I was unaware of the forfeiture,” Emefiele told the court, arguing that the EFCC published the notice in a barely visible section of a newspaper while he was battling multiple criminal trials in Abuja and Lagos.
He accused the EFCC of intentionally keeping the forfeiture proceedings hidden, despite their ongoing legal engagements with him. The trial court, however, ruled that due process was followed, stating the publication was not concealed.
Unconvinced, Emefiele filed an appeal on April 30, 2025, asking the appellate court to overturn the April 28 judgment, nullify the interim and final forfeiture orders dated November 1 and December 2, 2024, and approve his earlier application from January 28, 2025.
He argued the trial court failed to properly assess the facts and evidence he presented, claiming the ruling was based on hearsay and lacked credible proof. Emefiele also asserted he had both legal and equitable interest in the property contrary to the court’s finding that he showed no ownership.
“The entire ruling is a miscarriage of justice,” he declared. “The trial judge failed to evaluate key documents and affidavits. This decision violates the 1999 Constitution and should be struck down.”
Meanwhile, Emefiele’s legal team has written to the Minister of Housing, urging a freeze on plans to auction the estate until the appeal is concluded.
“We are aware that the properties may soon be sold to the public,” the letter read. “We have already served the EFCC with a notice of appeal and an injunction.”
The federal government recently revealed plans to sell the estate to low- and middle-income earners.
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 Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja to overturn a ruling that handed the federal government ownership of a massive 753-unit housing estate in Lokogoma, Abuja.){kind=link}