Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to overturn a judgment granting the Federal Government permanent ownership of a 753-unit housing estate in Lokogoma, Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured the initial forfeiture order on the estate, which was originally linked to an unnamed former government official.

Emefiele, represented by his lawyer, A.M. Kotoye, has approached the appellate court as an interested party, arguing that he was not included in the original proceedings despite having a legal interest in the property.

He is also asking the court to reverse both the interim and final forfeiture orders issued on 2 and 24 December 2024, respectively, arguing they were granted without his knowledge or participation.

RELATED STORY: Lost and Forfeited: Why Emefiele’s Claim to 753 Abuja Properties Failed

Emefiele claimed that the EFCC published the interim notice in an obscure section of a national newspaper, making it difficult for him to respond. He also explained that he was simultaneously standing trial in three separate criminal cases in Abuja and Lagos during the relevant period, making it impractical for him to discover the notice in time.

He accused the EFCC of deliberately concealing the forfeiture process despite being in frequent contact with him over other pending matters.

Justice J.O. Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court had dismissed Emefiele’s earlier application, ruling that the publication met the legal requirements under Section 17(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The judge also rejected the claim that the notice was obscure, stating that a half-page advert in a national paper could not be considered hidden.

Unhappy with the decision, Emefiele filed an appeal on 30 April 2025, naming the EFCC as the sole respondent and raising four grounds of appeal. He argued that the entire forfeiture process was based on hearsay and conjecture and that no law was breached in the acquisition of the properties to justify a forfeiture under the Constitution or the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

In a letter dated 26 May 2025, co-counsel A.O.M. Adebowale informed the Minister of Housing and Urban Development of the pending appeal, urging the ministry to halt any action on the estate.

“We have learnt that the properties are being prepared for public auction. We urge the ministry to stay further action pending the resolution of the appeal,” the letter read.