A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described before the Lagos State Special Offences Court how former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele allegedly received $17.1 million in cash through a proxy over a period of three years.
Alvan Gurumnaan, the EFCC’s eighth prosecution witness and head of the commission’s special operations team, testified that the money was delivered in tranches between 2020 and 2023 and handed to Emefiele’s associate and co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
Emefiele and Omoile face a 19-count charge brought by the EFCC related to corrupt demands and gratification totaling $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Gurumnaan explained that intelligence reports against Emefiele, even while he was still in office, prompted the EFCC to carry out extensive investigations. The commission sought documents and explanations from multiple departments within the CBN, as well as other regulatory bodies and commercial banks.
During the investigation, officers who worked closely with Emefiele, including his personal assistant Eric Odoh, were questioned. However, Odoh reportedly absconded abroad and is currently wanted by Interpol.
Another CBN official, Monday Osazuwa, confirmed that he carried out personal errands for Emefiele, including handling the delivery of large sums of cash. According to Osazuwa, from September 2020 to June 2023, a businessman in Lagos gave him a total of $17.1 million to deliver to Emefiele via Omoile.
The witness added that many transactions took place on Fridays when Emefiele worked from his Lagos office.
The EFCC submitted all related documents as evidence in court.
Emefiele’s legal team has requested permission for a forensic inspection of the documents, but the court directed them to file a formal application.
The case was adjourned to October 7, 8, and 9, 2025, for continuation of the EFCC witness’s testimony.
