An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has testified that $2.045 million in cash and several luxury properties were recovered from a lawyer acting on behalf of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
A prosecution witness, David Jaiyeoba, told the FCT High Court on Thursday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered $2.045 million from Collins Omeife, a lawyer to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele. Jaiyeoba, an EFCC operative, testified that the cash was discovered at the Zenith Bank headquarters in Lagos alongside various title documents for high-end real estate. According to the witness, Omeife admitted during interrogation that the funds belonged to Emefiele and were regularly delivered to him in cash by Eric Ocheme, the former governor’s personal assistant, to fund property acquisitions and renovations.
The testimony detailed a sprawling portfolio of assets allegedly acquired through these illicit funds, including detached duplexes in Lekki Phase 1 and multiple luxury buildings in Ikoyi, Lagos. Among the listed properties were a four-bedroom duplex on Probyn Road, eight units of apartments on Adekunle Lawal Road, and a massive industrial complex spanning 22 plots in Agbor, Delta State. Jaiyeoba further noted that the investigation relied on internal CBN memoranda and bank statements, which linked the defendant to various approvals for landscaping, furnishing, and power installations at these private residences.
Emefiele is currently facing a 20-count amended charge including criminal breach of trust, forgery, and procurement fraud. The witness told the court: “My Lord, the funds, amounting to $2,045,000, alongside several properties and title documents were recovered from Zenith Bank Plc headquarters in Lagos, in the possession of one Mr Collins Omeife, a lawyer to the defendant.” He added that the lawyer confirmed Emefiele “was in the habit of giving him cash sums in foreign currency, precisely United States dollars, for the acquisition of those properties.” Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the case to March 16 and 17, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
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