The legal team representing former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has categorically denied any association between him and the properties recently forfeited by order of a Federal High Court in Lagos.
In a statement released on Friday, Emefiele’s lawyer, Olawale Fapohunda, Esq., refuted reports alleging the ex-CBN governor’s ownership of assets connected to Anita Joy Omoile and her companies, including DeepBlue Energy Limited.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically disassociate our client from the ownership of the assets in question,” the statement read. “The assets do not belong to our client or any member of his immediate family.”
The clarification follows a final forfeiture order issued by Justice Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi. However, Emefiele’s legal counsel noted that Justice Aneke, another judge of the same court, had previously lifted an interim forfeiture order related to the same properties.
Providing further context, the legal team acknowledged that DeepBlue Energy Limited was incorporated in 2009 by a relative of Emefiele. However, they emphasized that the former CBN governor has no direct ownership interest or involvement in the company’s operations.
“In light of these facts, we urge the public to disregard any reports attempting to link our client to the forfeited assets, as such claims are a misrepresentation of the situation,” the statement added.
This latest development comes amid ongoing legal and investigative proceedings involving Emefiele, who has faced increased scrutiny following his tenure at the helm of Nigeria’s apex bank.
