The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Margaret Emefiele wanted for alleged fraud.
The anti-graft agency is also searching for Ms Omoile’s cousin, Jonathan Omoile, and his wife, Anita Omoile, according to a public notice shared by the commission via its handle X on Friday night.
WANTED BY EFCC:
1. ERIC OCHEMA ODOH2. MARGARET DUMBIRI EMEFIELE3. ANITA JOY OMOILE4. JONATHAN OMOILE pic.twitter.com/jkmCZvaTji
– EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 9, 2024
Emefiele, the former CBN governor, is already being prosecuted by the EFCC at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of fraudulent financial transactions during his tenure.
The EFCC declared the quartet wanted for alleged conspiracy with Emefiele to hoard “huge sums of money” belonging to the federal government.
According to the public notice, the EFCC charged the quartet with committing a serious offence, specifically obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing, which is contrary to and punishable under sections 411, 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.” .
The statement urged the public to come forward with credible information on the whereabouts of the suspects by contacting any of the EFCC offices or calling 08093322644.
He said Odoh hailed from Benue State and his last known address was the CBN headquarters, Central Business District, Abuja, suggesting that the suspect may be a CBN official.
The agency described Ms Emefiele as an indigene of Ika Local Government Area of Delta State and the Chief Executive Officer of Dummies Oil & Gas Ltd, with her last known address at House No. 38 Iru Close, Ikoyi, Lagos State .
The other two, Jonathan Omoile and Anita, also hail from Delta State.
EFCC said Jonathan, who appears to be a Bureau de Change operator, is the CEO of Excel Quote BDC Limited, who was last known to have lived at Plot 1, Unit 14, Babafemi Osoba Crescent, Lekki Phase 1, Off Admiralty Road, Lagos State.
Anita, CEO of Deepblue Energy Servicea Ltd and Lipman Investment Services, is also believed to have last shared the same address with Jonathan.
The case appears to have arisen from allegations of multidimensional corruption leveled by a special investigator hired by the Tinubu administration to investigate CBN activities under Emefiele.
Emefiele has been involved in various businesses with the Omoiles over the years, as the family ties with his in-laws grew into a multi-million dollar partnership.
Some of the business associations date back to his time as a senior official at Zenith Bank and later as the bank’s chief executive.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on an issue resulting from the business partnership between Mr Emefiele and one of his US-based brothers-in-law, John Omoile.
Background
Hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele from his position as CBN governor last June, Nigeria’s secret police, SSS, arrested him and detained him in Abuja for several months.
He now faces trial on 20 amended charges of criminal conspiracy, giving undue advantage and breach of trust, among others, at the FCT High Court in Abuja.
Mr. Emefiele was previously charged with six counts and first arraigned on November 28, 2023, before the EFCC filed the amended charges requiring fresh indictment.
The commission, in amending the charges, increased the number of charges from six to 20 and removed the name of a former co-defendant, Sa’adatu Yaro, from the case.
He was restructured for the amended charges in January.
In some of the charges, EFCC alleged that Emefiele, in January 2023, forged a document titled ‘Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observation Missions’, dated January 2023 and reference number SGF.43/L.01 /201.
The EFCC alleged that Mr. Emefiele made the claim knowing it was false.
In case CR/577/2023, the prosecution alleged that Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, conspired with Odoh Ocheme, an alleged fugitive, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the office. from the Secretary to the Governor of the Federation (SGF) “vide letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201”.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that “the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence, located at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was awarded to a company called Messrs Architekon Nigeria Ltd, “of which both They are directors.” and majority shareholders.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened the provisions of Sections 17 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, 2000, as well as Sections 315, 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
He is being tried on a 20-count amended charge of granting corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretenses in the amount of $6,230,000.
Mr Emefiele is being tried alongside a CBN staff member, Sa’adatu Yaro, and his company, April 1616 Investment Ltd, for alleged contravention of the Procurement Act in relation to the purchase of luxury vehicles for the bank .
In case CR/577/2023, the prosecution alleged that Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, conspired with Odoh Ocheme, an alleged fugitive, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the office. from the Secretary to the Governor of the Federation (SGF) “vide letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201”.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that “the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence, located at No. 2, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was awarded to a company called Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Ltd, “of which they are both directors. and majority shareholders.
The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened the provisions of Sections 17 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act, 2000, as well as Sections 315, 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.
In August, the anti-graft agency first charged Mr Emefiele, along with Sa’adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Ltd, with alleged contravention of the Procurement Act in relation to the purchase of some vehicles.