The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Lagos court that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele allegedly acquired multi-billion naira properties through proxies while in office.
An EFCC investigator, Alvan Gurumnaan, gave the testimony on Thursday before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Gurumnaan said the properties, located in Lagos, Ogun, Delta and Abuja, far exceeded Emefiele’s lawful earnings as CBN governor.
He told the court that investigators recovered over $2 million in cash from the office of a lawyer, Ifeanyi Omeke, who allegedly admitted to acting as a front for Emefiele and receiving money on his behalf.
Among the assets linked to the former CBN governor were twin duplexes in Lekki Phase 1, two mansions on Queen’s Drive in Ikoyi, a block of eight flats on Adekunle Lawal Street in Ikoyi, a factory in Agbor, Delta State, a warehouse in Ogun State, and a 750-unit housing estate in Lokogoma, Abuja.
The witness said some of the properties had already been forfeited to the Federal Government through court orders.
Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt demands and abuse of office involving transactions valued at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion. His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faces three counts.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
