A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission the authority to confiscate several properties and cash stashed by former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele.
The total amount includes $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and other valuable investments and assets.
The judgement was given by Justice Yellim Bogoro on Friday, following a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge ruled that the money and properties were proceeds of illegal activities and should be handed over to the Nigerian government.
According to court documents, the forfeiture includes $900,000 worth of investments traced to Anita Joy Omoile, a close relative of Emefiele. The EFCC revealed that Omoile had been linked to several financial transactions under investigation.
The court also ordered the seizure of $4.4 million in investments linked to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd, a company under scrutiny. In addition, ₦283 million held in a Zenith Bank account under the name of Liman Investment Ltd was also forfeited.
Other funds affected by the judgment include €20,000 (euros) and £1,999.50 (British pounds) traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change, another company tied to Omoile.
Emefiele...on trial