Emefiele Denies Ownership of Forfeited Properties, Says Assets Belong to Relatives

The immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, has denied ownership of the properties and funds recently forfeited to the Federal Government by order of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

In a statement issued by Barrister Olawale Fapohunda on behalf of his legal team, Emefiele insisted that neither he nor his immediate family owned the assets in question. While acknowledging that some of the forfeited assets belonged to his relatives, he maintained that he had no direct ties to them.

Clarification on DeepBlue Energy Limited

Emefiele specifically addressed claims about DeepBlue Energy Limited, a company linked to the forfeited funds. According to him, the company was established in 2009 and is owned by a relative, not himself, as widely reported in the media.

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The former CBN governor also pointed out that Justice Aneke, of the same Federal High Court in Lagos, had previously lifted an interim forfeiture order on the same assets that Justice Yellim Bogoro has now ordered to be permanently forfeited.

Emefiele Warns Against Misinformation

Urging stakeholders and the public to take note of the clarification, Emefiele cautioned against associating him and his immediate family with the forfeited properties.

Part of the legal team’s statement read:

“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 emphasis, the assets in question do 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.”

Court’s Final Forfeiture Order

Despite Emefiele’s denial, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of:

• $4.7 million and ₦830 million allegedly linked to him.

•Investments worth $900,000 traced to Anita Joy Omoile.

• Another $4.4 million in DeepBlue Energy Services Ltd.

• ₦283 million in Zenith Bank linked to Liman Investment Ltd.

• €20,000 and £1,999.50 traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change (BDC).

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The forfeiture was granted at the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activity.

However, Emefiele’s legal team has vowed to challenge the ruling while reiterating that the properties and funds belong to other individuals, not him.

For more updates, visit diamondfountainmedia.com.