An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Ikeja Special Offences Court that a total of $17.1 million in cash was allegedly delivered to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, over a three-year period through his aide.
Testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi, Assistant Commandant Alvan Gurumnaan revealed that Mr Monday Osazuwa, a close aide to Emefiele, collected the staggering sum from a businessman at a Victoria Island address between September 2020 and June 2023.
According to Gurumnaan, “The total money given is $17,100,000. Mr Osazuwa collected these sums in various tranches and delivered them to Mr Godwin Emefiele at his Ikoyi residence.”
He added that part of the funds was also handed over to Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, on the former governor’s instruction.
The EFCC investigator, who joined the anti-graft agency in 2008, said the transaction trail emerged from an intelligence-led probe into alleged procurement fraud and abuse of office during Emefiele’s tenure as apex bank chief.
As part of the investigation, the EFCC issued document requests and summoned top officials from CBN departments including Financial Markets, Legal, Currency Operations, Trade and Exchange, Banking Supervision, and Human Resources.
Gurumnaan said another key name that surfaced was Eric Odoh, a former personal assistant to Emefiele, who reportedly fled the country amid the probe.
“We traced him to the UK, Canada, and other countries, but all efforts to locate him have been futile,” he said.
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Also testifying was Mr John Adetola, who served as Emefiele’s executive assistant.
He told the court he once collected $400,000 in 2018 on behalf of the ex-CBN governor, allegedly sent by Eric Odoh via WhatsApp instructions. The money was delivered by one Mr John Ayoh.
During cross-examination by defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), Adetola admitted he did not document the transaction nor retain records of the WhatsApp message.
He also confirmed he was not under prosecution nor offered immunity in exchange for his testimony.
Adetola said he spent 11 days in EFCC custody but was never confronted with either Emefiele or Ayoh.
Emefiele and Omoile are standing trial on a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office and fraudulent transactions amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the trial to October 7, 8, and 9, 2025, for continuation.
