The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Ayokunle Faji, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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This decision stems from an interim forfeiture order obtained by the EFCC on May 29, 2014, which temporarily seized the funds.

The court mandated that the order be published in newspapers to notify any potential claimants, providing them the opportunity to contest the forfeiture.

During Tuesday’s hearing, EFCC counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala stated that the commission had complied with the publication order, and no claims to the funds had been made.

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Buhari-Bala asserted that the money was obtained through unlawful activities by Emefiele, who allegedly received kickbacks for approving foreign exchange allocations to multinational firms during Nigeria’s forex crisis.

The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Emefiele used intermediaries to conceal the illegal proceeds. David Jayeoba, an EFCC investigator, disclosed in an affidavit that the money was traced through direct intelligence.

According to the investigation, entities paid substantial bribes to secure forex approvals, with transactions funneled through accounts under fictitious names.

The funds, initially amounting to $26,552,000, were deposited into an account at Titan Trust Bank. The deposits were made between November 2021 and September 2022, in increments ranging from $652,000 to $6,450,000.

The investigation revealed that the money was subsequently laundered through foreign accounts and then reintroduced into Nigeria.

The court’s decision to forfeit the remaining $1,426,175.14 to the Nigerian government is supported by Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-related Offences Act.

This ruling follows another recent forfeiture order involving properties worth N12.18 billion linked to Emefiele, issued by Justice C.J. Aneke.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has reaffirmed that the list of successful candidates for recruitment into the Constables cadre of the Nigeria Police Force remains valid and unchanged.

This clarification came from Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations of the PSC, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

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Ani addressed the rumors circulating on social media, which falsely claimed that the PSC had succumbed to pressure and canceled the final list of successful candidates.

He clarified that these statements did not originate from the PSC and urged the public to disregard them.

“The recruitment exercise was conducted in strict adherence to relevant guidelines and legal provisions,” Ani stated.

He added that the commission had recently completed a routine maintenance of its portal, which contains the list of successful candidates, and has since restored the portal to its original state.

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“The commission is fully in control of the situation and has restored the recruitment portal with its original contents intact.”

“Successful candidates should ignore these deliberate attempts by desperate groups to undermine the commission’s good work,” Ani emphasized.

He reiterated the PSC’s commitment to a merit-based and inclusive recruitment process, ensuring that federal character, gender sensitivity, and merit are the foundations of its recruitment efforts.

Ani also warned those behind the false statements to desist from attempting to undermine the recruitment exercise, stating that any individuals caught in such acts would face consequences.

The PSC continues to assure the public of its dedication to a transparent and fair recruitment process for the Nigeria Police Force.

President Bola Tinubu will engage in further consultations before making a final decision on the new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers, according to Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation.

The announcement came after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

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Idris revealed that the report from the tripartite committee on the new wage was presented and deliberated upon during the FEC meeting.

However, it was set aside to allow the President to consult more extensively, particularly with state governors and the organized private sector.

“We discussed the new minimum wage issue at the council meeting. The new national minimum wage involves not just the federal government but also the state governments, local governments, and the organized private sector. The memo was stepped down to enable Mr. President to consult further, especially with the state governors and organized private sector,” Idris stated.

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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, also briefed the council on government finances and debts, emphasizing the importance of managing the country’s financial exposure in dollar terms.

“When we interrogate the figures over the first quarter of this year, starting from the middle of December 2023 to the end of March this year; if we want to be positive, what we will say is that the glass is half full. The total debt stock of Nigerians in dollar terms fell by 15 per cent, which is very positive. Any rating agency, creditor, or investor looking at that will see it as a positive move,” Edun said.

He noted that despite the fall in dollar-denominated debt, the exchange rates increased by 8 trillion, and the total external and domestic debt in Naira terms had risen by 25 per cent.

Edun stressed the government’s focus on ensuring robust revenue collection using technology and implementing stringent debt and expenditure controls.

“We are implementing expenditure controls, also very ably empowered by technology. Mr. President inherited a legacy of N3.4 trillion in outstanding ways and means which have been securitized on the eve of his administration. We are conducting a forensic audit of that figure because it’s a liability on which we have to pay interest,” Edun explained.

In the healthcare sector, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced that the council approved significant upgrades to key infrastructure.

This includes the engagement of a transaction adviser for a public-private partnership to expand and modernize six teaching hospitals.

The hospitals include the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, and University College Hospital, Ibadan, among others.

Pate also provided updates on ongoing disease outbreaks, particularly Cholera and yellow fever, with efforts coordinated by the National Centre for Disease Control in collaboration with state authorities.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, announced the procurement of Mikano CNG vehicles for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and two full-body scanners for Lagos and Abuja International airports.

Minister of Works David Umahi updated the council on road projects across the country, assuring that most ongoing construction and rehabilitation projects would be completed by October.

A senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service tragically passed away on Tuesday after collapsing during a hearing at the House of Representatives.

The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, suffered a sudden health complication around 1:00 PM on June 25, 2024, while attending an engagement with a House Committee.

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House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi Jr, confirmed the incident in a statement expressing deep sadness over the officer’s death.

“It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm the passing of an esteemed official of the Nigeria Customs Service who was at the National Assembly for an engagement with a House Committee,” Rotimi Jr stated.

“Despite the immediate and diligent efforts of first responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he unfortunately passed away.”

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The statement further emphasized respect for the deceased officer’s family by withholding his name at this time.

The House of Representatives extended heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family, friends, and colleagues, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Nigeria Customs Service and the nation.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, also expressed his condolences, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated public servant. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”

The House of Representatives has pledged to support efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and is cooperating with relevant authorities to ensure all necessary protocols are followed.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

In the meantime, the House requests patience and respect for the privacy of the officer’s family during this period of mourning.