An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Alvan Gurumnaan, has told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, allegedly acquired several properties worth billions of naira through associates while in office.
Gurumnaan made the disclosure on Thursday while continuing his testimony in the trial of Emefiele, who is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt demands and abuse of office.
The charges involve transactions valued at $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is also facing a separate three-count charge over alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the investigator said Emefiele’s statement was obtained during an intelligence-led investigation conducted by a special operations team under his supervision.
He alleged that Emefiele abused his position as CBN governor by creating a system that made it difficult for businesses and ordinary Nigerians to access foreign exchange, forcing some applicants to comply with unofficial arrangements before obtaining the funds.
Gurumnaan cited the case of a company that allegedly paid millions of dollars to Emefiele through his staff member, Monday Osazuwa.
According to the investigator, Osazuwa admitted during questioning that he received about $17 million from the company and subsequently handed the money to Omoile, who allegedly delivered it to Emefiele.
He also mentioned Source Computer, alleging that its managing director was compelled to make payments to Emefiele before receiving contract fees.
The EFCC investigator further told the court that investigations uncovered several properties allegedly acquired by Emefiele through associates, which he said were beyond his legitimate earnings as CBN governor.
He claimed that various courts had ordered the forfeiture of assets valued at approximately N100 billion linked to the former CBN chief.
Gurumnaan identified a lawyer, Ifeanyin Omeke, as one of the alleged fronts used in acquiring the properties. He said investigators recovered more than $2 million in cash from Omeke’s office after establishing links between him and several companies.
According to the witness, Omeke admitted acting on Emefiele’s behalf and serving as secretary to some of the companies.
Among the properties listed were twin duplexes in Lekki Phase 1 and two mansions along Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Counsel to Emefiele, Ojo Olalekan (SAN), and Omoile’s lawyer, Kazeem Gbadamosi, challenged the relevance of the testimony to the charges before the court.
However, Justice Rahman Oshodi dismissed their objection, ruling that the defendants would have the opportunity to challenge the witness during cross-examination.
Continuing his testimony, Gurumnaan said Emefiele was given an opportunity to respond to some of the findings during the investigation but allegedly failed to address the allegations.
He also listed other properties reportedly linked to the former CBN governor, including a factory under construction in his hometown of Agbor, Delta State, which he said had been forfeited to the Federal Government.
The investigator further alleged that Emefiele acquired a block of eight flats on Adekunle Lawal Street, Ikoyi, a property formerly owned by the Nigerian Printing and Minting Company, where Emefiele had served as board chairman.
He claimed that Emefiele sold the property to himself, adding that it had also been forfeited to the Federal Government.
Other assets mentioned included a warehouse in Ogun State containing several containers, an 11-storey building under construction with about 94 luxury flats, and an estate of approximately 750 houses in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.
Gurumnaan said the properties were recovered during the EFCC investigation.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until November 13 for continuation of trial.
(NAN)
