An official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has testified before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, detailing how former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele allegedly received $17.1 million in cash through an associate over a three-year period.
Alvan Gurumnaan, the eighth prosecution witness and head of the EFCC’s special operations team, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the funds were delivered in tranches between 2020 and 2023 to Henry Omoile, Emefiele’s co-defendant in the case.
Emefiele and Omoile are facing a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, including allegations of corrupt demands and gratification amounting to $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Investigation Unveils Cash Transactions
Gurumnaan, led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), stated that intelligence reports prompted the commission to launch an extensive probe into Emefiele’s activities while he was still in office.
“We invited Omoile for questioning and found the intelligence credible,” Gurumnaan said. “We wrote to the CBN, requesting documents and summoning officials from various departments, including trade and exchange, currency operations, and banking supervision.”
The EFCC also sought information from the Code of Conduct Bureau, Corporate Affairs Commission, commercial banks, and the FMDQ. Several CBN staff were interrogated, with some detained and later released to sureties.
Key Witnesses and Missing Aide
Gurumnaan revealed that among those questioned were Monday Osazuwa, John Adetola, and John Ogar—staff who worked closely with Emefiele. However, Eric Odoh, Emefiele’s former personal assistant, allegedly fled the country after learning of the investigation.
“Odoh was traced to Canada and the Dominican Republic, but efforts to locate him failed,” Gurumnaan said. “We issued a Red Notice through Interpol, placed him on a watchlist, and declared him wanted.”
Cash Handovers and Errands
According to the witness, Osazuwa admitted to running both official and personal errands for Emefiele, including collecting cash from a Lagos-based businessman.
“Between September 2020 and June 2023—just before Emefiele’s suspension—Osazuwa received $17.1 million in cash from the businessman and delivered it to Omoile, who then passed it to Emefiele,” Gurumnaan testified. “Most transactions occurred on Fridays when Emefiele was working from his Lagos office.”
Defence Seeks Forensic Examination
Emefiele’s lead counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), requested permission for a forensic expert to inspect the documents tendered as evidence. However, the prosecution objected, insisting on a formal application.
Justice Oshodi ruled that the defence must file a formal request and adjourned the case to October 7, 8, and 9, 2025, following the court’s annual vacation, for further testimony.
The trial continues as the EFCC presents its case against the former CBN governor and his associate.
