General
Court Orders Forfeiture of $1.4m Linked To Emefiele
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has again ordered the interim forfeiture of the sum of $1.4 million linked to the embattled, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government of Nigeria and adjourned the matter to June 25 for a hearing of the final forfeiture of the money.
The judge ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper for anyone interested in the money sought to be forfeited to appear before the court and show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the said sum should not be made.
The court made the above orders while granting an ex parte application moved by the counsel to the EFCC, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari-Bala.
The money forfeited in the interim is said to be in Donatone Limited’s account and domiciled in Titan Bank Limited.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Mrs Buhari-Bala told the court that the orders sought are pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-related Offences Act No. 14, 2006, and Section 44 (2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She also said that the court had the statutory powers under the provisions of section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 to grant the reliefs being sought.
“That the funds sought to be forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities,” she said.
Mrs Buhari-Bala also told the court that the motion Exparte is supported by an affidavit deposed to by one David Jayeoba, an investigator with the EFCC.
In the affidavit, the deponent stated that his commission received credible and directed intelligence which led to the tracing of funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities warehoused in the Donatone Limited (DL) Titan Trust Bank account, which funds are reasonably suspected to be part of proceeds of unlawful activities.
The deponent stated that the EFCC whilst investigating the alleged monumental fraud carried out by Mr Emefiele and his cronies, discovered a huge amount of money warehoused and concealed in the account of Donatone Limited, domiciled in Titan Trust Bank.
He stated that investigation revealed that some of the brains behind the fraudulent concealment of funds reasonably suspected to have been proceeds of unlawful activities of Emefiele are the natural persons behind Donatone Limited, Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi, who are directors at Donatone Limited.
The deponent further stated the following “Between 2021 and 2022, when accessibility to Forex in Nigeria was difficult, several international entities operating in Nigeria had to resort to different means to source Forex.
“That Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi used the firm, to collect bribes and gratification on behalf of Godwin Emefiele, to get approval for accessing Forex. And that one of the entities (NP) paid a total sum of $26,552 million, into the account of a firm domiciled in Titan Trust account number 2000000500.
“That the said credits came into the account of the firm on November 9, 2021: $6,450,000; November 5, 2021: $6,050,000.00; December 16, 2021: $5,400,000.00; December 23, 2021: $652,000; January 31 2022; $3,000,000.00 and September 21, 2022: $5,000,000.00.
“The investigation traced the funds to having been fixed into interest-yielding accounts, dissipated and laundered through a foreign account in Mauritius, and transported back to Nigeria under disguise.
“That of the total sum of $26, 555, 000.00 US Dollars received by the firm, the balance standing in the said account as at today is the sum of $1, 426, 175.14 million.
“That it is the balance in the account that the applicant seeks to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which has been traced to be the proceeds of unlawful activities of (GE) and his cronies. That investigation further revealed that the international entities sourcing for forex were pressured into parting with huge funds to access forex during the period.
“That the signatories to the account warehousing the sum of $1, 426, 175.14 million USD, sought to be forfeited are at large and are making frantic efforts to dissipate the funds electronically. And based on our investigation findings, the funds sought to be forfeited are proceeds of unlawful activities of (GE) and his cronies. And that it is in the interest of justice to grant this application.”
It would be recalled that Justice Yelim Bogoro had on May 25, 2024, ordered an interim forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, and some property assets linked to Emefiele
The monies forfeited to the federal government in the interim were said to be warehoused in First Bank; Titan Bank and Zenith Bank, being 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.
While the properties forfeited in the interim are: His properties forfeited to the Federal Government include 94 Units of an 11-floor building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11-floor office space, situate on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, and Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.
Others are 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 and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B. Lot twin completed property in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has said a minor incident that occurred at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) did not affect the operations of the oil facility.
It was reported earlier in the day that the refinery, owned by the Nigerian government but operated by the NNPC witnessed an explosion.
Recall that on Monday night, the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline operated by Shell in Rivers State exploded after some militants threatened to disrupt crude oil production in the country because of a political crisis in the state.
On Tuesday night, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Rivers State, suspending all elected political players in Rivers State, including the Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
On Wednesday, it was reported in a section of the media that the Port Harcourt was attacked but the NNPC said the facility is fully operational, assuring that there nothing to worry about.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that despite a minor incident at a section of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) earlier today, the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products.
“NNPC Ltd assures the public that there is no cause for concern, as all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation,” the terse state by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Mr .Olufemi Soneye, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, has promised to collaborate and tap from the wealth of experiences of all former Accountants-General of the Federation to improve the country’s treasury.
Mr Ogunjimi disclosed this while receiving two of his predecessors, Mr John Naiyeju and Mr Ibrahim Dankwambo, in his office in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ibrahim Dankwambo suggested upgrading the Treasury Academy, Orozo, owned by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to a degree-awarding institution.
Also, Mr Naiyeju charged the new Accountant-General to carry everyone along and advised him to make staff welfare his priority.
In a related development, Mr Ogunjimi expressed his willingness to work with all professional organisations for a positive development to the nation, especially, his professional and academy colleagues of the doctorate class.
Mr Ogunjimi called on his classmates to come up with ideas and suggestions that would enhance the management of the nation’s treasury that will positively affect the economy development.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum of Doctorate Students, Mr Ibrahim Aliyu, said they were in the Treasury House to congratulate one of their own and assured him of their support towards his successful tenure.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Ogunjimi earlier this year. He was picked because of his over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.
He was described as a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF),
“He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting,” a statement from the presidency added.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Deputy Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oladipupo Oluwaloni, has taken over the affairs of the council, though in an acting capacity.
His elevation was approved by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following the prolonged absence of the council chair, Mrs Bolatito Shobowale.
Business Post gathered that Mrs Shobowale has not been seen at the council for a long time, about six months.
She was not around when members of the Governor Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) visited the LCDA last year.
The team, led by a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Femi Pedro, was welcomed by Mr Oluwaloni and other council staff.
She was also not available when the council held a graduation ceremony for some residents who underwent an empowerment training last month.
It was learned that her absence from work, based on health grounds, has made it impossible for the 2025 budget to be presented to the council’s lawmakers for approval.
To prevent the shutdown of the council, Mr Oluwaloni has been asked to take over as the chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.
He will be expected to quickly present the budget for approval to enable the council carry out critical projects for the benefit of residents of the area.
According to reports, Mr Oluwaloni, who intends to contest for the chairmanship position of the Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA later this year, has been given the go-ahead by the party leaders to lead the council.
Already, the state government, through the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, Mr Bolaji Roberts, has issued a letter to the acting chairman to resume office with immediate effect.
“This is a great responsibility, and I am fully committed to upholding the trust placed in me. My focus will be on ensuring that governance at the grassroots remains effective, responsive, and aligned with the developmental agenda of our great state,” Mr Oluwaloni commented on his assumption of office.
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