metro
Court orders permanent forfeiture of $2.04m, properties linked to Emefiele
Court orders permanent forfeiture of $2.04m, properties linked to Emefiele
The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order for the final forfeiture of $2.045 million, several high-value properties, and share certificates associated with former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu granted the permanent forfeiture after ruling that Emefiele and other parties did not challenge the initial interim forfeiture order. In his judgment, the judge noted that Emefiele was unable to provide documentation or evidence linking his lawful earnings from his roles at Zenith Bank and the CBN to the acquisition of these assets.
“The conclusion that can be deduced is that there must be something dark about the acquisition of the properties which Emefiele and the companies do not want to come to light,” Justice Dipeolu stated.
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The properties under forfeiture include two duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, a plot of undeveloped land on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive in Ikoyi, Lagos, and a four-bedroom duplex at Probyn Road, Ikoyi. Other properties include an industrial complex under construction on 22 plots in Agbor, Delta State; 8 undetached apartment units on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi; and a full duplex on Bank Road, Ikoyi.
Emefiele had previously denied any affiliation with the companies listed as owners of these properties. The companies, which include Amrash Ventures Limited, Modern Hotels Limited, Finebury Properties Limited, Fidelity Express Services Limited, H & Y Business Global Limited, and SDEM Erectors Nigeria Limited, did not appear in court to assert ownership.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had initially secured a temporary forfeiture of these assets on August 15, 2024. The court accepted the EFCC’s claim that the funds and assets were likely acquired through unlawful means.
Emefiele’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), had argued for a stay of proceedings, urging the court to reconsider the final forfeiture. However, the court held that Emefiele failed to establish any lawful claim to the assets, thus ruling in favor of their permanent transfer to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Court orders permanent forfeiture of $2.04m, properties linked to Emefiele
metro
200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS
200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that about 200,000 repentant terrorists have so far dropped their arms and surrendered to troops in the North East, noting that the twin strategy of kinetic and non-kinetic operations was responsible for this achievement.
The CDS made this known at the Security and Justice Symposium organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the British High Commission, which began at the National Counterterrorism Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
He disclosed that the theme of the symposium, ”Securing Peace, Ensuring Justice, Protection, Conduct, and Accountability,” speaks volumes about the deluge of security challenges the armed forces and security agencies are facing.
His words, “All the challenges we are facing today have to do with fairness, equity, justice, and accountability.
“There will not be peace without justice, equity, fairness, and accountability. In our operations, we are conducting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, which have to a large extent yielded significant successes, and we want to particularly thank the National Security Adviser for his great support in this regard.
“Nigeria is going through so many challenges, and we feel we’re able to address this, and everybody has a sense of belonging. A lot of the security challenges we are having, we are sure, will go down. I want to thank the National Security Advisor for all the support he’s given us, both the kinetic and the non-kinetic.
“We have said it; the kinetic aspect is just less than 30%. The non-kinetic has a lot to play. The non-kinetic, because when you have democracy, people must have the evidence of democracy. As long as it tells people to sleep well and be peaceful, and they are hungry, their children cannot eat, and all this creates more problems.
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“The issue of informants. We have to look at how we tackle this issue of informants. Because these are the people who have created the issue.
200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS
metro
Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
The spokesperson for the police in Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, has confirmed the death of two robbery suspects in the state.
Mr Edafe, who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Warri, said that the deceased were killed from the bullets shot by their gang members.
According to him, the incident occurred on Wednesday at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Edafe explained that the deceased were leading the police surveillance team attached to the Ekpan Division to their hideout when they were caught during a shoot-out.
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“The suspects were arrested at Effurun roundabout with a bag containing 57 live cartridges and other items. They were leading the surveillance team to their hideout at Warri/Sapele road when their gang members, on sighting the vehicle of the police team, engaged them in a shootout.During the gun duel, the arrested suspects that were leading the police team were fatally wounded by the gun shot of their colleagues. The two injured suspects were taken to the hospital and later died while receiving treatment,” he said.
Mr Edafe said that items recovered from the hoodlums hideout included: one English pump action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and eight live cartridges.
Others were: six iPhones, Smart phones and a Rolex wrist watch.
He said that the command had intensified manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang.
Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
(NAN)
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