In a dramatic twist, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele has been revealed as the owner of a massive estate in Abuja.
The estate, containing 753 duplexes, has been forfeited to the Nigerian government following a court ruling.
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, made this revelation public.
Sowore took to social media to confirm that Emefiele owns the estate seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The 753 duplexes forfeited by an FCT court in Apo belong to Muhammadu Buhari’s CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele,” Sowore wrote.
The EFCC has described this seizure as the largest asset recovery in its history.
The property, located in Abuja’s Lokogoma District, covers 150,500 square meters.
Sowore did not hold back in criticizing the EFCC for initially refusing to name the property’s owner.
He accused the agency of protecting high-profile individuals while publicly shaming smaller offenders.
“If it’s Yahoo boys, they’ll line up their laptops and Nokia phones for display,” Sowore said.
“But when it comes to big thieves, the EFCC becomes their PR agent.”
The activist’s posts sparked widespread outrage on social media.
Many Nigerians expressed frustration at the perceived double standard in how the EFCC handles corruption cases.
Emefiele is already facing multiple corruption charges.
These charges include his controversial role in the naira redesign policy.
He is currently standing trial at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to December 4, 2024, and January 21, 2025, for further proceedings.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, Sowore’s revelations have added a new layer of controversy.
The EFCC’s decision to pursue the final forfeiture of the estate was based on legal provisions.
Citing Sections 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and Section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution, the agency pushed for the forfeiture.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who presided over the case, ruled in favor of the EFCC.
He declared that the property was acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
“The respondent has not shown cause why he should not lose the property,” the judge stated.
Sowore criticized the government for failing to provide affordable housing for ordinary Nigerians.
“They told you since the days of the Structural Adjustment Program that the government has no business building houses,” he wrote.
“But a top brass stole from citizens and built 753 duplexes for himself.”
The EFCC’s statement emphasized that the forfeiture aligns with its mandate.
“This action ensures that the corrupt do not enjoy the proceeds of their unlawful activities,” the commission said.
For many Nigerians, this case highlights the ongoing struggle against corruption in the country.
The scale of the asset recovery has reignited debates about accountability and justice.
Observers believe the government must ensure transparency in handling the seized properties.
The public is now watching closely to see how the EFCC will manage this high-profile case.
Emefiele’s legal troubles are far from over, and the stakes remain high.
