THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a new lawsuit against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, accusing him of theft and the illegal acquisition of 753 housing units located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
According to the EFCC, Emefiele allegedly collaborated with one Eric Ocheme—who is currently on the run—to acquire the properties in August 2021.
In the eight-count charge filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, the anti-corruption agency claimed that during his tenure as CBN governor, Emefiele controlled large sums of money through proxy accounts. One of the accounts, reportedly held with Zenith Bank, contained ₦167 million in 2019, a sum the EFCC suspects was unlawfully acquired.
Between January and December 2020, Emefiele and Ocheme were also said to have held ₦1.23 billion in the account of Kelvito Integrated Services (Account No. 1016232915, Zenith Bank). The commission believes this amount was also obtained through illegal means.
One of the charges specifically states that between January and December 2021, Emefiele and Ocheme had control over ₦2.95 billion in the same Kelvito account, while another count alleges they managed ₦1.98 billion in 2022, all suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Additionally, Emefiele was alleged to have maintained ₦900 million and ₦600 million in another Zenith Bank account (No. 1210750237) under the name Ifedigo Integrated Services—amounts also suspected to be illicit funds.
Earlier, the EFCC had secured a court order to seize the entire estate in question, officially transferring it to the federal government.
However, Emefiele has challenged the ruling at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking to overturn the forfeiture of the 753 housing units.