One of the numbers of courts used by the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to challenge the operational activities and exercise of authorities by the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has fixed February 26, 2025 to rule on recusal application filed by the embattled ex CBN governor after the Special Offences Court judge was accused of being biased and unfair in his handling of the case before the court sitting in Lagos state, this is coming after another court ordered final forfeiture of billions of naira worth of properties allegedly linked to the most troubled, investigated, humiliated and detained ex governor of CBN in Nigeria history.

Details of the report as contained in numbers of news releases made available by the Public Relations UNit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC reads verbatim below:

Court to Rule On Emefiele’s Application Alleging Bias, Feb 26

Justice R A Oshodi of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has adjourned till February 26, 2025 to deliver ruling on an application by a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, asking the trial judge to recuse himself alleging bias.

Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demand preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents. They have pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

At Monday’s proceedings, February 24, 2025, the prosecution led by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, concluded the examination-in-chief of the seventh prosecution witness, PW7, Adetola John, but rather than proceed with the cross-examination, counsel for Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, and Omoile’s counsel, Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN asked the court to recuse itself on the allegation of bias.

The defence, refused to cross-examine the witness and through an oral application, unanimously asked the court to recuse itself alleging bias.

Oyedepo, however, vehemently opposed the application. He said: “In this proceeding, your lordship had numerous times rule against the prosecution and if defence is dissatisfied with the ruling of the court, they can appeal.

“I do not know what defence is trying to prove by telling this court to recuse itself because in this case, there is no evidence of allegation of bias.

“This is a form of delay tactics and I urge your lordship to discountenance this application because a reasonable person in this court will realise that this application is meant to delay this trial.

“The court had earlier granted accelerated hearing in this case and I urge this honourable court to ask defence to cross-examine the witness.”

Thereafter, Justice Oshodi adjourned to rule on the application.

Court Orders Final Forfeiture of ₦830 million, $4.7 million, Properties Linked to Emefiele

Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, February 21, 2025, ordered the final forfeiture of $4,719,054, Four Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand Dollars, Fifty-four Cents and ₦830,875,611, Eight Hundred and Thirty Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-five Thousand, Six Hundred and Eleven Naira as well as a number of properties linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

The judge gave the order, following a motion on notice filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Commission had through the motion, filed by its counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, sought a final forfeiture of the monies and properties “having been established to be proceeds of unlawful activity pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 44(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The monies which are domiciled in First Bank, Titan Bank and Zenith Bank, are being operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Limited; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Limited and TIL Communication Nigeria Limited.

The properties consist of 94 units of 11 storey buildings under construction on Number 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (formerly Club Road), Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza; 11 storey office space, situated on 1E, Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street; Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria; Closed PFA Fund, Block B Lot Twin Completed Property Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

Others are: a plot of land measuring 1,038.069sqm, located in Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, Local Government Area; an estate located on 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; a Land at No. 1 Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a property situated on Number 8 Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.

The court also ordered the final forfeiture of €20,000, Twenty Thousand Euros and £1,999.50, One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-nine Thousand, Fifty Shillings traced to Exactquote Bureau de Change; an investment worth $900,000, Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars traced to Anita Joy Omoile in Titan Bank; investment worth $4,414,801.76, Four Million, Four Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and one Dollars, Seventy-six Cents traced to Deep Blue Energy Service Limited in First Bank; and ₦283,086,186.73, Two Hundred and Eight-three Million, Eighty-six Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-six Naira, Seventy-three Kobo traced to Lipam investment Services.

Osazuwa Akonedo

Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media professional, author, and consultant. His work spans various sectors of communication and literature: Journalism and Media: He is the founder of OsazuwaAkonedo, which focuses on news analysis and commentary. He also provides consultancy services in media and banking. Literature: He is a published playwright and author of Nigerian literature. One of his notable works is the drama titled The End Shall Tell: What Exam Malpractice Can Cause, which addresses educational and social issues in Nigeria. Reporting: He frequently reports on regional news, particularly concerning Edo State and broader Nigerian current affairs. Credit: Google Gemini AI Mode Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media creator, journalist, and entrepreneur who engages audiences via news reporting, social media content, music, and a mobile application. Professional Background and Company Osazuwa Akonedo is associated with OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED, a company registered in Nigeria that operates in media consultancy and news services  The company is headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and has been active in publishing news in various formats including text, audio, video, and photos  Social Media and Online Platforms Osazuwa Akonedo maintains a strong online presence on several platforms: TikTok: Shares news updates and reports, for example, covering police operations in Nigeria  YouTube: Operates a channel where he uploads videos on current affairs and news content  Twitter/X: Active under the handle @akonedo_osazuwa, posting updates on events and news  Facebook: Profiles listing his connection to news and media activities can be found on Facebook  Mobile App: Offers a dedicated mobile application for news access through Google Play (Osazuwa Akonedo News App) providing text, video, and photo news formats  News Reporting and Content He produces news content covering national and local stories, including criminal activities, government updates, and investigative reports   His reporting spans multiple formats, making it accessible to a wide audience through online platforms, mobile apps, and social media  Other Contributions In addition to journalism, Osazuwa Akonedo has also ventured into audio releases, such as “Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Begs Nigerians For Justice” released on January 25, 2026   He also hosts podcasts documenting significant events, e.g, NDLEA arrests related to historical criminal cases  Summary Osazuwa Akonedo is a multifaceted media professional engaged in journalism, social media content creation, music, and technology via his news app. He utilizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and mobile applications to disseminate news and reach audiences both locally and internationally Credit: Azure AI

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