February 21, (THEWILL) – On Friday, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of $4,719,054, N830,875,611, and several properties linked to Anita Joy Omoile, an alleged associate of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Justice Yellim Bogoro granted the order following a request filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the final forfeiture of the funds and properties. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the anti-graft agency, argued that the assets were proceeds of suspected unlawful activities.
THEWILL recalls that a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice C.J. Aneke, vacated the interim forfeiture order sought by the EFCC on the monies and properties belonging to Anita Omoile, CEO of Deep Blue Energy Services Limited, on 14 May 2024.
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.
Justice Bogoro had earlier ordered the interim forfeiture of the funds and properties, mandating the publication of the order in a national newspaper.
According to EFCC counsel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, the disputed funds are held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, 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-storey 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; Two 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 stated, “I hold that Anita Omoile is a close associate of the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele. Consequently, I find that all the monies and properties listed in the schedule are hereby finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
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