Emefiele Got $17.1 Million Via Proxy, Witness Tells Court
Toyibat Ajose
Emefiele
An official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Alvan Gurumnaan, testifying as the eighth prosecution witness, has told the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja how former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, allegedly received a total of $17.1 million in cash through a proxy over a three-year period.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo, Mr Gurumnaan informed Justice Rahman Oshodi that the monies were received between 2020 and 2023, in several tranches, and were handed to Emefiele’s associate and co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
Emefiele and Omoile are currently facing a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, which relates to corrupt demands and gratification amounting to $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
While testifying on Tuesday, Mr Gurumnaan, who heads the EFCC’s Special Operations Team, recounted how intelligence reports concerning Emefiele—while still in office—prompted the Commission to launch a comprehensive investigation.
He said, “In the course of our investigation, we met with the second defendant, Mr Omoile, and invited him to our office. The intelligence we received was credible, so we proceeded to write multiple investigative letters to the CBN, requesting documents and directing officers from the Trade and Exchange, Currency Operations, Banking Supervision, Legal, Human Resources and other departments to come in for questioning.”
He further stated that letters were also sent to the Code of Conduct Bureau, Corporate Affairs Commission, various commercial banks, and the FMDQ.
“After gathering information, we invited officers from these departments for interviews. Some were detained temporarily and later released on the basis of reliable sureties,” he added.
Mr Gurumnaan said several staff members who worked directly under Emefiele at both the CBN headquarters in Abuja and its annex in Lagos were also invited for questioning. These included Monday Osazuwa, John Adetola, and John Ogar.
He noted that one name that featured prominently in the investigation was Eric Odoh, Emefiele’s personal assistant. Despite efforts to contact him, he was found to have absconded and is believed to have travelled to countries including Canada and the Dominican Republic. A red notice has been issued via Interpol, and he remains on the EFCC’s watchlist.
According to Gurumnaan, Osazuwa confirmed he had worked with Emefiele both at Zenith Bank and later at the CBN, often running errands for him—some official, others personal.
Between September 2020 and June 2, 2023—just one week before Emefiele’s suspension—this businessman allegedly gave Osazuwa a total of $17.1 million to deliver to Emefiele. The funds were received by Osazuwa and subsequently handed over to the second defendant, Mr Omoile, at Emefiele’s Lagos residence. On some occasions, Omoile handed the cash to Emefiele personally.
The EFCC tendered all related documents as evidence in court.
Meanwhile, Emefiele, through his legal team, has requested a forensic review of the submitted exhibits. His lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo SAN, submitted an oral application for either the defendant or a chosen forensic expert to inspect the materials.
The prosecution objected, urging the court to require a formal application. Counsel for the second defendant, Yinka Kotoye SAN, also reminded the court that similar requests had previously been made but remained unaddressed.
Justice Oshodi directed the defence to file a formal application seeking permission for forensic inspection and adjourned the matter to October 7th, 8th, and 9th 2025 for continued hearing, following the court’s annual vacation.
Toyibat Ajose
Mass Communication major…highly motivated and results-oriented professional with a robust foundation in media, education, and communication. Leveraging years of hands-on experience in journalism, I've honed my ability to craft compelling narratives, conduct thorough research, and deliver accurate and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences.
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