The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday heard testimony that $2.045 million in cash and several property title documents recovered from a lawyer were owned by a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The testimony was given by the 12th prosecution witness, David Oyesina Jaiyeoba, an investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Hamza Muazu.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness told the court that investigations into Emefiele were initiated following a report from the Inter-Agency Task Force led by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to Jaiyeoba, several individuals, companies and government agencies were investigated during the probe, leading to the recovery of substantial assets and cash, some of which have since been forfeited to the Federal Government.
He said investigations revealed that over $2 million originated from one Eric Ocheme Odoh, who served as Emefiele’s personal assistant during his tenure as CBN governor. The cash, he said, was recovered from Mr Collins Omeife, identified as Emefiele’s lawyer.
“The person in possession of the $2,045,000, who is the defendant’s lawyer, confirmed that the money belonged to the defendant,” Jaiyeoba told the court. “We also recovered property title documents which he confirmed were owned by the defendant.”
The witness further stated that the cash and title documents were recovered at Zenith Bank Plc headquarters in Lagos. He explained that investigations showed Omeife had been acquiring and perfecting property titles on Emefiele’s instructions.
According to Jaiyeoba, Omeife disclosed during interrogation that Emefiele routinely gave him cash, including foreign currency, for the purpose of acquiring properties. The funds were allegedly delivered through Emefiele’s personal assistant, while part of the money was also used to renovate existing properties belonging to the former CBN governor.
The witness added that Emefiele later confirmed ownership of the assets when he appeared to show cause why they should not be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Jaiyeoba also testified that Emefiele approved payments to several companies, including Architekon Nigeria Limited, which he said was promoted by Emefiele’s brother-in-law, MacCombo Omoile, and his wife, Margaret Omoile.
He identified several exhibits tendered in court, including internal CBN memoranda approving payments for the construction and landscaping of the CBN governor’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. Other exhibits showed approval of payments amounting to ₦97.9 million for the supply of office furniture and contracts for dedicated power supply at the governor’s residence.
The witness further told the court that EFCC corresponded with Zenith Bank regarding Emefiele’s bank accounts. He said bank records presented as exhibits showed, among other transactions, a debit of ₦4 million from Emefiele’s account to Architekon Nigeria Limited.
Justice Muazu adjourned the case to March 5, 16 and 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, obtaining by false pretence, procurement fraud, conspiracy to commit forgery, and conspiracy to commit felony.
