By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its crackdown on alleged financial crimes, declaring Margaret Emefiele, wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, along with three others, wanted for money laundering.
The quartet, comprising Margaret Emefiele, Eric Odoh, Anita Omoile, and Jonathan Omoile, stands accused of conspiring with the former CBN Governor to embezzle funds belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC alleges that they committed felonies, including obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing, contravening sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Details of their alleged offenses were disclosed in a mugshot portrait released by the EFCC late Friday night, urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact authorities.
Furthermore, the EFCC revealed that Godwin Emefiele himself faces charges of fraud amounting to ₦1.8 billion and $6.2 million.
The latest amended charge accuses him of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to unlawfully obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the SGF.
The amended charge alleges that Emefiele forged documents to deceive the CBN into releasing funds, despite knowing the claims were false, thus violating the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
Additionally, Emefiele is accused of awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos worth N99.8 million to a company in which his wife and brother-in-law are directors and majority shareholders, contravening Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The amended charge sheet comprises 20 counts against Emefiele, who is expected to plead on the amended charges during his next court appearance.
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