The Supreme Court has restored the final forfeiture of seven high value properties linked to former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, overturning a previous judgment of the Court of Appeal that nullified the order and directed a retrial.
The apex court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday by a five-member panel led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, allowed the appeal and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal.
The ruling reinstates the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, which ordered the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had argued that the properties were acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities and sought their permanent forfeiture.
Although the Court of Appeal had earlier ruled in favour of a retrial, the Supreme Court held that the forfeiture order should stand.
The judgment marks the end of the legal battle over the seven properties, with the assets remaining permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
