EFCC: How Emefiele Recieved $17.1 Million Through Proxy
Explosive revelations emerged on Tuesday at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja as an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operative alleged that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, received a staggering $17.1 million in cash over three years.
Testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi, EFCC investigator Alvan Gurumnaan detailed how the funds were allegedly funnelled to Emefiele through a proxy between 2020 and 2023. According to Gurumnaan, the cash was regularly delivered to Emefiele’s Ikoyi residence and handed over to his associate, Henry Omoile.
Emefiele and Omoile currently face a 19-count charge bordering on corrupt practices and gratification amounting to $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Gurumnaan said the money trail was uncovered through testimony provided by Monday Osazuwa, a dispatch rider and the prosecution’s first witness. Osazuwa reportedly acted as a courier, collecting the dollar-denominated cash from an unidentified contact and delivering it directly to Omoile, following instructions from Emefiele.
“The cash pick-ups happened frequently, mostly on Fridays,” Gurumnaan told the court. “Osazuwa received a call from Emefiele, who directed him to contact a man named Mohit in London. Mohit, in turn, connected him with another individual who delivered the funds.”
Investigators also uncovered WhatsApp communications allegedly linked to the transactions on the proxy’s phone. Gurumnaan testified that the EFCC obtained lawful access to the phone, extracted messages, and forwarded them via email to a colleague, Musa Idi, as part of the digital trail.
Gurumnaan, a member of the EFCC’s elite Special Investigation Department since 2008, said the commission launched the probe after receiving numerous petitions alleging financial misconduct and abuse of office by the former CBN chief.
The investigation led the EFCC to reach out to several institutions — including the CBN, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Financial Market Dealers Quotations (FMDQ) — for supporting documents.
“We invited officials from these bodies. While some cooperated, others were granted bail after interrogation,” Gurumnaan explained.
He also disclosed that other close associates of Emefiele, including John Adetola and John Ogah, were questioned. However, one figure, Eric Udoh, proved elusive.
“Eric Udoh’s name came up repeatedly in our probe,” Gurumnaan said. “We traced him to multiple countries — the Dominican Republic, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He is now on Interpol’s red notice and is wanted globally.”
The court adjourned the case to October 7 and 8, 2025, for continuation of trial.
