Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of using fraudulent proceeds to acquire these properties through proxies. These properties are primarily located in the upscale areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The EFCC also named three CBN staff members, Obayemi Teben, Akomolafe Adebayo, and Olubunmi Makinde, as Emefiele’s accomplices, alleging they used their positions to secure favorable foreign exchange allocations for various companies in exchange for kickbacks.
Justice Aneke instructed the EFCC to publish the forfeiture order in a newspaper, allowing any interested parties to contest the final forfeiture. The case was adjourned to June 21 for a hearing on the motion for final forfeiture.
Previously, on May 25, 2024, Justice Yelim Bogoro of the same court had ordered the interim forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and several properties linked to Emefiele. These funds were held in accounts with First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, 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.
The properties forfeited included:
- 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club Road), Ikoyi, Lagos
- AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space on 1E Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos
- Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land in Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos
- Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Lagos
- Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos
- Two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos
Additionally, on May 29, Justice Ayokunle Faji ordered the interim forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 allegedly linked to Emefiele.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that all due processes have been followed in the case and that Binance will have the opportunity to defend itself in court against serious financial crime charges. The next hearing is scheduled for June 20, 2024.
