A fresh wave of legal trouble has hit former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, as anti-graft officials level new accusations involving alleged fraudulent property deals and suspicious financial transactions.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed new charges linking Emefiele to the acquisition of hundreds of residential units in Abuja, a transaction prosecutors claim was masked through proxy accounts and companies. The property, located in the city’s Lokogoma district, is said to consist of over 750 housing units.
According to investigators, billions of naira flowed through accounts operated by individuals and businesses allegedly tied to Emefiele while he was still serving as the head of Nigeria’s apex bank. Officials suspect these funds were funneled through front companies under the guise of legitimate transactions.
The EFCC had earlier secured a court order to seize the estate and transfer ownership to the federal government. Emefiele, however, has challenged that decision at the Court of Appeal, seeking to reclaim the properties.
While details of the trial continue to unfold, the development adds to the growing list of legal woes facing the former CBN chief, whose tenure has been under increased scrutiny since leaving office.