Appeal court overturns forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties – Newstrends
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Appeal court overturns forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties

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3 weeks ago

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Godwin Emefiele

Appeal court overturns forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties

In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal in Lagos has overturned the final forfeiture order placed on properties linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The decision comes several months after a Federal High Court had ruled that the said assets be permanently forfeited to the federal government. That initial order was part of a wider investigation into alleged financial misconduct during Emefiele’s tenure at the apex bank.

On November 1, 2024, Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos had ordered the final forfeiture of several properties, including $2.045 million, seven prime properties in Lagos and Delta states, and two share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust, alleging they were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.

Among the forfeited assets were two duplexes in Lekki Phase 1, multiple properties in Ikoyi, a large industrial complex in Delta State, and luxury apartments in Lagos.

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Dissatisfied with the judgment, Emefiele approached the appellate court, challenging the decision. His legal counsel, Olalekan Ojo, argued that the trial judge failed to properly evaluate the evidence before granting the EFCC’s request for forfeiture.

EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that Emefiele failed to show how he legitimately acquired the properties and did not provide evidence of financial transactions linking him directly to the properties, most of which were acquired in the names of various companies.

Delivering judgment on April 9, 2025, a two-to-one majority decision of the appellate court, led by Justice Abdulazeez Anka, ruled that Emefiele’s legitimate earnings, including his income from Zenith Bank and 10 years as CBN governor, were sufficient to acquire the properties.

The court therefore set aside the final forfeiture order, except for the $2,045,000, which Emefiele did not contest. That sum remains forfeited to the federal government.

The appeal court further ordered a retrial at the lower court, directing both parties to present oral evidence for a fresh hearing.

Appeal court overturns forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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July 9, 2025

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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2 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

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“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

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Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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