EFCC Claims Emefiele Used Associates to Acquire Properties During Tenure

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele took a new turn as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented evidence in court. An investigator, Alvan Gurumnaan, testified that Emefiele allegedly used associates, including a lawyer, to buy properties worth billions of naira while he was in office.

Gurumnaan, speaking at the Ikeja Special Offences Court, said that properties linked to Emefiele had been recovered in various locations including Lagos, Delta, Ogun, and Abuja. He revealed that more than $2 million in cash was found in the office of a lawyer named Ifeanyi Omeke, who reportedly acted as a front for Emefiele.

During the trial, Emefiele faced multiple charges related to corruption and abuse of office, involving transactions worth billions of naira and dollars. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is accused of unlawfully accepting gifts.

Gurumnaan alleged that Emefiele created a system that made it hard for regular Nigerians and businesses to access foreign currency, forcing some to pay large sums to get the money they needed. He provided examples, including a company that reportedly paid millions to Emefiele through an associate.

The investigator detailed several properties supposedly acquired by Emefiele, claiming their value exceeded what he could have earned legitimately as CBN governor. He mentioned that the EFCC had obtained court judgments allowing them to seize assets worth hundreds of billions of naira linked to Emefiele.

Among the properties listed were luxury homes and a warehouse in Ogun State filled with valuable containers. Emefiele’s defense team objected to some of the testimony, arguing that it introduced new facts not previously shared with them.

The judge allowed the testimony to continue, stating that the witness could discuss findings from his investigation. The case has been adjourned until November 13, 2026, for further proceedings.