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Court Forfeits Fresh $2m, 7 Landed Properties Traced To Emefiele

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Lagos Federal High Court, has ordered interim forfeiture of cash sum of $2, 045, million USD, linked to the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele.

The judge also ordered interim forfeiture of the seven landed properties linked to the suspended CBN Governor.

The lands are listed as follows: “two fully detached duplex of identical structures, lying being and situate at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; an undeveloped/bare land, measuring 1919.592sqm with Survey Plan No. DS/LS/340 LYING, being and situate at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow lying, being and situate at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, (Formerly Queens Drive), Ikoyi, Lagos; four bedroom duplex lying, being and situate at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi; Industrial complex under construction on a 22-plot of land, lying, being and situate in Agbor, Delta State; 8 units of undetached apartment on a plot measuring 2457.60sqm OF lying, being and situate at No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land measuring 2217.87sqm lying, being and situate at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

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Justice Aluko further ordered the interim forfeiture of 2 shares shares certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited trust.

The judge made the interim forfeiture orders after taken application for the orders in a suit marked FHC/L/MISC/500/24, which was filed moved and moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who led Chineye C. Okezie and Zeenat Atiku Bala.

The EFCC lawyer, in urging the court, said the money and others items sought to be forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Oyedepo also added that the orders sought for are pursuant to Section 17 of the advance fee fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006, Section 44 (2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

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Oyedepo (SAN) also informed the court that the motion ex parte is supported with an affidavit deposed to by one Idi Musa, an Investigator attached to the Lagos office of the EFCC.

Parts of the deponent’s averments in the affidavit reads: “that I am one of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission assigned to investigate the damning intelligence report received by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission in respect of monumental fraudulent activities perpetrated by some senior officers of the Central Bank of Nigeria through which huge sums of money were fraudulently converted and transferred for personal use.

“That the Commission whilst investigating the alleged monumental fraud carried out by the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and his Cronies traced and discovered several properties reasonably suspected to have been acquired and or developed with proceeds of unlawful activities.

“That the said properties particularized in Schedules ‘A’ and ‘B’ herein, having been reasonably suspected to have been acquired/ developed with proceeds of unlawful activities are now sought to be forfeited to the federal Government of Nigeria in the interim.

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“That in the cause of this investigation, it was revealed that the erstwhile CBN governor negotiates kickbacks in return for allocation of Foreign Exchange to some companies who were in desperate need of foreign exchange for their lawful and legitimate businesses.

“That upon investigation, it was revealed that one Ifeanyi Omeke, a Deputy General Manager and Head, Litigation of Zenith Bank Plc, who worked closely with Godwin Emefiele ran several errands for him which included purchase and perfection of title documents for several properties located in highbrow areas of Lagos. And that upon a search conducted in the office premises of Mr. Ifeanyi Collins Omeke by the operatives, several seals for various companies including but not limited to Queensdorf Global Fund Limited were recovered.

“That the said seals were kept in custody of Mr. Ifeanyi Collins Omeke by Godwin Emefiele. And that Investigation has revealed that all seven companies listed above are suspected to be shell companies used by Godwin Emefiele as vehicles for money laundering and holding proceeds of his illicit activities.

“That sometime in 2018, one Olusola Bodunde acquired a parcel of land located at Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and partnered with one Idowu Sharafa to develop three units of 5 bedroom duplexes with attached BQ on the land. And that sometime in 2020, one Ifeanyi Omeke approached Mr. Olusola Bodunde and subsequently paid the total sum of N460, 000, 000. 00 (Four Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) for two of the three developed duplexes, purchased in the name of Amrash Ventures Limited, all on behalf and on the instructions of Godwin Emefiele.

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“That the sum of Two Million, Forty Five Thousand Dollars ($2,045,000.00) and the shares certificate, were also recovered in the office of Mr. Collins Ifeanyi Omeke at the Zenith Bank Head office on Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“That most of the proceeds of Godwin Emefiele’s illegal activities were invested in the acquisition of various properties now sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. And that the properties now sought to be forfeited were not acquired with proceeds of any legitimate earnings rather from funds reasonably suspected to have been derived from proceeds of unlawful activities.

“That from findings of our investigation, I also know as a fact and verily believe that the properties sought to be forfeited were acquired in the name of cooperate entities with a view to concealing the unlawful origin of the funds used for their acquisition. And that the title document in respect of the properties listed in schedule A herein were recovered by the team in the course of this investigation.

Justice Aluko after listening to Oyedepo submission, reading through all the processes filed and the plethora of legal authorities cited, granted the interim forfeiture of the money, the share certificates and the landed properties.

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The judge also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to enable any anyone who is interested in the properties to appear before the Court and show cause within 14 days, why the final order of forfeiture of the said properties should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Further hearing of the matter was adjourned to September 5.

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Legal Questions Arise Over Elon Musk’s Immigration History Amid Calls for Citizenship Revocation

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Elon Musk, a citizen of the United States could be at risk if it is proven that he misrepresented facts during his immigration process, according to legal experts. This debate comes I  the middle of calls for the revocation of his citizenship, fueled by Musk’s vocal support for Donald Trump and his controversial remarks on immigration.
Musk, originally from South Africa, moved to Canada before settling in the U.S., where he eventually became a naturalized citizen, but reports recently alleged that he may have worked in the U.S. without proper authorization in the 1990s.
According to ‘The Washington Post’, Musk was admitted to Stanford University in 1995 on a student visa but did not enroll, instead working on the startup that became Zip2. Court records and former associates cited by the “Post” suggested that he lacked proper work authorization during this period.
But Musk has debunked these claims, as he said that he was in the U.S. legally on a J-1 visa, which later transitioned to an H1-B visa. However, a 2005 email cited in a defamation case reportedly revealed Musk admitting that he applied to Stanford because he “had no legal right to stay in the country.”
Legal experts indicated that working without authorization and misrepresenting such actions during the immigration process could constitute grounds for revocation of citizenship under U.S. law.
The Legal Framework
The U.S. law permits the revocation of citizenship if it was obtained through “concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.” Violations such as unauthorized work can be flagged during multiple stages of the immigration process, including green card and naturalization applications.
Amanda Frost, a professor of immigration law, explains that misrepresenting visa violations could lead to denaturalization. “If a person violated the terms of a visa and later failed to disclose that during the naturalization process, their citizenship could be deemed ‘illegally procured,’” she stated.
Stephen Yale-Loehr of Cornell Law School adds that while such cases are legally valid, they are rarely pursued unless the violations are deemed material.
Potential Outcomes and Implications
If evidence of wrongdoing were uncovered, Musk would not face immediate deportation but could be subjected to a lengthy legal process. Criminal penalties for making false statements during naturalization include up to five years in prison.
However, legal experts note that such cases often hinge on whether the alleged violations would have materially affected the individual’s eligibility for a green card or citizenship. Immigration attorney Greg Siskind believes it’s unlikely that Musk’s actions, if proven, would have prevented his eventual naturalization.
Political and Public Backlash
The controversy has reignited debates about immigration enforcement and denaturalization. Under the Trump administration, efforts to revoke citizenship increased significantly, with thousands of cases investigated and dozens referred for deportation.
Musk, a high-profile immigrant, has faced criticism for his frequent comments on immigration issues, with many accusing him of promoting divisive narratives. His extensive ties to government contracts and national security projects also add a layer of scrutiny to his case.
Calls for Musk to release his immigration records under the Freedom of Information Act remain unanswered. Meanwhile, legal analysts emphasize that any action against Musk would depend on clear evidence and prosecutorial discretion.
This unfolding situation underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the potential implications for high-profile figures.
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Family Head Regrets Obtaining NDA Form for Late Lt General Lagbaja

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The head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret over his decision to obtain the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) admission form for the deceased.
Pa Tajudeen, the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, revealed that if he had foreseen the tragic outcome, he would not have facilitated his nephew’s entry into the military.
He said: “Had I known that obtaining the NDA form for him would lead to this, I wouldn’t have done it.
“However, we accept it as destiny. Everyone must face death, but this loss has hit us hard. Taoreed was more than a nephew to me; I regarded him as one of my own children”.
The grieving family head recounted the late General’s contributions to their hometown of Ilobu in Osun State, highlighting projects such as a borehole in his father’s compound and other communal initiatives.
“He gave us hope and brought pride to the family. His death is a great loss, but we give thanks to God,” Pa Tajudeen added.
The late General’s death has also sparked suspicions within the family. Some relatives allege that he may have been a victim of diabolical forces linked to a land dispute in Ilobu. In 2023, tensions arose when the Nigerian Army proposed establishing a hospital in the community, reportedly leading to conflicts over land ownership.
Despite the tragic circumstances, the family expressed gratitude for Lt. General Lagbaja’s life and legacy, while grappling with the shock of his untimely demise.
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Tinubu Leaves For Saudi Arabia Tomorrow For Arab-Islamic Summit

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, will be departing the country Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which will focus on the current situation in the Middle-East.

Naijablitznews reports this was contained in a statement by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday said the Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024.

“It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

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“During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.

“Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region,” he said.

He noted that key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, would accompany the President.

Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed.

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He noted that after the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu would return to Abuja.

It could be recalled that Tinubu had departed Nigeria on Wednesday, October 2, for a two-week working vacation in the UK as part of his annual leave.

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