EFCC slams Emefiele with fresh charges over 753 housing units
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has initiated new charges against former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, concerning the purported unlawful acquisition of a 753-unit housing estate in Abuja and the illicit control of billions of naira.
The eight-count indictment, submitted to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, accuses Emefiele of conspiring with a fugitive, Eric Ocheme, to obtain the estate located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District. The property covers over 150,000 square meters.
According to the EFCC, Emefiele controlled billions of naira through accounts of proxy companies. It is claimed that between 2019 and 2022, more than ₦6.3 billion was allegedly channeled through Zenith Bank accounts linked to Kelvito Integrated Services and Ifedigo Integrated Services.
In one of the counts, Emefiele is also charged with fabricating a document titled “Irrevocable Power of Attorney Between MG Properties Limited and H and Y Business Global Limited” to deceive parties into thinking it was officially authorized.
The housing estate was previously seized and forfeited to the government, which has announced intentions to sell the property to low- and middle-income Nigerians. However, Emefiele submitted a motion asserting his interest in the estate, which was rejected. He has since appealed the decision and filed an injunction to prevent any further government actions pending the appeal.
The EFCC plans to call 24 witnesses, including bank officials, to testify when the trial commences.
Emefiele held the position of CBN Governor from 2014 until June 2023, when he was apprehended by the Department of State Services. He resigned while in custody and currently faces various charges in both Abuja and Lagos.
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