The Supreme Court has reinstated the final forfeiture of seven high-value properties linked to former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, overturning a Court of Appeal judgment that had nullified the order and directed a retrial.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Channels TV reported.
The appellate court had earlier nullified the final forfeiture order granted by the Federal High Court in Lagos and ordered that the case be heard afresh.
However, the Supreme Court restored the trial court’s decision, effectively returning the seven properties to the Federal Government through final forfeiture.
The ruling also brings to a close Emefiele’s legal challenge against the forfeiture order issued by the Federal High Court.
Details later
