Former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele has taken the Federal Government to court over the controversial seizure of a large estate in Abuja. The estate, made up of 753 housing units in Lokogoma, was forfeited to the government after a court order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele, through his lawyer A.M. Kotoye, told the Court of Appeal in Abuja that he has an interest in the estate and was never invited or informed before the order was made. “I was unaware of the forfeiture,” he stated in court documents.
The estate was initially linked to an unnamed former government official, but Emefiele is now challenging the ruling, saying he should have been part of the process.
Emefiele Accuses EFCC of Concealing Abuja Estate Seizure
Emefiele said the EFCC hid the forfeiture proceedings despite dealing with him on other charges. He added that the notice was published in an obscure section of a newspaper while he was in the middle of three criminal trials in Lagos and Abuja.
His appeal, filed on April 30, 2025, asked the Court of Appeal to reverse the judgment delivered on April 28, 2025, and void all forfeiture orders made in November and December 2024.
He insisted that he submitted documents proving legal and equitable interest in the Abuja estate but the trial judge failed to evaluate them. “The entire ruling is a miscarriage of justice,” Emefiele declared.
FG Pushes to Sell Despite Emefiele’s Appeal
While Emefiele battles the FG over the Abuja estate seizure, the federal government is moving forward with plans to sell the estate to low- and middle-income Nigerians.
In a letter to the Minister of Housing, Emefiele’s legal team warned against any sales while the appeal is pending. “We have served notice of appeal and an injunction,” the letter reads.
This is not the first time U-turns and legal drama have surrounded assets linked to the former CBN governor. Public reaction has been divided, with some questioning why the government is rushing to auction properties tied to an unresolved appeal.
Emefiele Battles FG Over Abuja Estate Seizure
The battle between Emefiele and the FG over the Abuja estate seizure is far from over. While the government maintains that due process was followed, Emefiele insists he was denied fair hearing.
His call for justice has now been elevated to the Court of Appeal, where Nigerians wait to see if the court will reverse what he calls a “flawed and unjust” forfeiture.
