Emefiele faces fresh charges after owning up to 753 Abuja duplexes
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has slammed a fresh eight-count charge on Godwin Emefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Emefiele is facing multiple corruption charges since his sack in 2023.
As per the latest charges, the EFCC alleges Emefiele and Eric Ocheme knowingly controlled property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
Another says that Emefiele and Ocheme controlled N167,300,000 (one hundred and sixty-seven million, three hundred thousand naira) in Kelvito Integrated Services’ Zenith Bank account between January and December 2019 – which is believed to have been unlawfully obtained.
Likewise, the EFCC claims that the duo controlled N1, 235,959,000 (one billion, two hundred and thirty-five million, nine hundred and fifty-nine thousand naira) kept in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 with Zenith Bank Plc, between January and December 2020.
Similar to the third charge, Emefiele, between January and December 2021, controlled N2,945,331,050 (two billion, nine hundred and forty-five million, three hundred and thirty-one thousand fifty naira) in Kelvito Integrated Services’ Zenith Bank account.
The firth charge accuses Emefiele and his co-accused of controlling N1,985,412,246 (one billion, nine hundred and eighty-five million, four hundred and twelve thousand, two hundred and forty-six naira) in the same Kelvito Integrated Services’ Zenith Bank account, in December 2022.
In addition, the duo are equally charged with forging a document titled ‘Irrevocable Power of Attorney Between MG Properties Limited and H and Y Business Global Limited’ to mislead others into believing it was authorised by H and Y Business Global Limited.
The EFCC says it has listed 24 witnesses, including representatives from Zenith and Access banks, to testify when the trial begins.
TheCornet News reports that the latest charge stemmed from Emefiele’s admission to owning the 753 abandoned duplexes after a court had granted EFCC’s request for permanent forfeiture of the duplexes.
Prior to the ruling, the court had asked anyone with interest in the properties to show reasons why it should not grant the permanent forfeiture request. Since no one indicated ownership of the duplexes, the court granted the request, while the EFCC, later, passed them on to the Ministry of Housing.
In a dramatic twist of event, Emefiele suddenly appealed the ruling, indicating his interest in the properties. He claimed he was unaware of the matter and accused the EFCC of advertising the intent to confiscate the properties in an obscure part of the national dailies.
