EFCC Slams Fresh Charges on Emefiele Over 753 Abuja Duplexes
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh charges against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, accusing him of unlawfully acquiring a massive housing estate in Abuja and controlling billions of naira through proxy accounts.
In a charge sheet dated May 30, 2025, and marked CR/350/25, the anti-graft agency alleged that Emefiele, in connivance with a fleeing accomplice, Eric Ocheme, acquired 753 housing units located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Abuja.
The estate, measuring 150,462.86 square metres, was previously recovered by the EFCC and forfeited to the federal government through a court order issued by the FCT High Court in Apo.
Though Emefiele, through his counsel, A.M. Kotoye (SAN), opposed the forfeiture, the court dismissed his application.
He has now taken the matter to the Court of Appeal, and also filed for an injunction to stop the sale of the estate.
The federal government has since taken possession of the property and plans to sell the units to low and middle-income Nigerians.
The EFCC listed eight fresh counts against Emefiele.
In Counts 1–8, he was accused of knowingly controlling property and funds suspected to be proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 319(A) of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of the Federation, 1990.
Count 2 alleged that between January and December 2019, Emefiele and Ocheme controlled ₦167.3 million in the Zenith Bank account of Kelvito Integrated Services.
In 2020, the amount allegedly rose to ₦1.23 billion.
In 2021, the duo reportedly handled ₦2.94 billion through the same account, and in 2022, ₦1.98 billion.
Further, the EFCC claimed the two controlled ₦900 million and ₦600 million respectively in 2021 via Ifedigo Integrated Services’ account with Zenith Bank.
Count 8 accused Emefiele of forging a document titled Irrevocable Power of Attorney Between MG Properties Limited and H and Y Business Global Limited to mislead others.
The anti-graft agency listed 24 witnesses, including officials from Zenith and Access banks, for the upcoming trial.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
