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UPDATED: EFCC Declares Emefiele’s Wife, Three Others Wanted

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Margaret Emefiele, wife of a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and three others, wanted for money laundering.

Mrs Emefiele, Mr Eric Odoh, Anita Omoile and her husband, Jonathan Omoile, were declared wanted Friday night for allegedly conspiring with the former CBN Governor “to convert huge sums of money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria and committed felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretences, and stealing, contrary to and punishable under Sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.”

Details of their alleged money laundering offences were revealed by the EFCC in a mugshot portrait of the four suspects late Friday night.

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The document reads, “Emefiele, Odoh, Mr and Mrs Omoile, wanted by the EFCC. The quartet of Eric Odoh, Margaret Emefiele, Anita Omoile and Jonathan Omoile, are wanted by the EFCC for offences bothering on economic and financial crimes. Any information on their whereabout? Please contact the nearest EFCC Command or the nearest police Station,.”

An EFCC document entitled “Arrests and Recoveries,” which was earlier obtained by The PUNCH, revealed that the former CBN Governor, Emefiele, is being prosecuted by the EFCC for ₦ 1.8bn and $6.2m fraud.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: EFCC Declares Emefiele’s Wife, Three Others Wanted

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Meanwhile, the Federal Government has for the third time amended the criminal charges it filed against Emefiele.

In the latest amended charge taken before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, the EFCC accused Emefiele of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to illegally obtain $6.2m.

According to the amended charge marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, to obtain $6.2m from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.”

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According to the EFCC, Emefiele allegedly claimed that the SGF requested the CBN to release “a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

The EFCC said Emefiele made the claim despite knowing that it was false, “and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

READ ALSO: Estimated Bills: NERC Fines BEDC, Others, Deducts N10.5bn From Discos Revenue

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Still in the amended charge, the anti-graft agency alleged that Emefiele, in January 2023, forged a document titled: “Re: Presidential.directive on foreign election observers mission”dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

Kogi attacks EFCC over N80bn case against Yahaya Bello
He said to have allegedly connived with the fleeing Ocheme to commit the “illegal act to wit: forgery.”

Furthermore, Emefiele was accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his wife, Omoile Margret, and brother In-law, Omoile Macombo, by allegedly awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos to the tune of N99.8m.

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The anti-graft agency alleged that the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s lodge, located at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was awarded to a company named Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, “wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders.”

The EFCC said Emefiele’s alleged action was a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The amended charge sheet contains a total of 20 counts against Emefiele.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: EFCC Re-arraigns Emefiele, Ex-CBN Gov Pleads Not Guilty

The judge adjourned till Friday for Emefiele to take his plea on the amended charges.

In the original charge filed against him in August 2023, Emefiele was accused of perpetrating procurement fraud to the tune of N6.5bn.

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He was then charged alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, and her company, April 1616 Investment.

The EFCC later amended the charge by reducing the counts to six, removing the names of Yaro and April 1616 Investment, and reducing the quantum of the alleged procurement fraud to N1.2bn.

Emefiele was arraigned on the second charge on November 29, 2023, and he pleaded not guilty.

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The EFCC subsequently opened its trial and had so far called three witnesses before the latest amendment.

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Edo Deputy Gov Orders Installation Of Solar In PHC Facility

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Deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Monday, ordered the immediate installation of solar power at Aruogba Clinic, Benin to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

A statement by Friday Aghedo, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, said the order was given when Idahosa went on an inspection visit to the health facility.

The deputy governor, while reinstating the state government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare system across the state, noted that as a result, Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across the state were being transformed to deliver on governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda.

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READ ALSO:Idahosa Lauds Edo Specialist Hospital Facilities

While commending the pace of work at Aruogba Clinic, he said: “We are here to ensure that the health facilities closest to the people are well equipped to bequeath the healthcare system that the Governor has promised.

“From what we are seeing here today, it is clear that Governor Okpebholo is a man of vision. The accessibility is very good, and the nurses and health workers here are doing commendable jobs,” he stated.

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The deputy governor added that the government would intensify supervision of PHCs across Edo to identify and fix areas needing urgent attention.

READ ALSO:Idahosa Hosts NBA, Assures Of Government’s Collaboration

“We are going to visit many other centres and act within 24 hours on areas of improvement,” he assured.

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Idahosa emphasized that proper supervision was key to ensuring compliance with medical standards and improved service delivery at the grassroots.

His remarks were echoed by Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who explained that the administration was working with the “3As” of healthcare: accessibility, affordability, and availability.

The solar installation at Aruogba Clinic, officials said, will boost critical services such as antenatal care, child delivery, and malaria treatment, all of which are already being offered free of charge,” he explained.

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Oba Of Benin Ushers In ‘Emorọ’

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Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, is set to perform an age-long Emorọ otherwise known as the ‘New Yam Festival.’

A statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, said the ceremony which takes place on Tuesday September 30th 2025, is expected to be indoors in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

Irabor added that the ceremony followed a successful completion of two-weeks fasting and prayer declared by Oba Ewuare II for peace, progress and to usher-in Emorọ.

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READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Irabor said Oba Ewuare II used the fasting period to pray for the good people of Edo State and Nigeria and other people of goodwill.

The statement reads, “Accordingly, Omo N’ Oba appreciates all Edo indigenes and non indigenes and Edo sons and daughters in the diaspora that participated in the spiritual exercise and urge them to commence the consumption of Emorọ (new yam), while praying God Almighty and his Royal ancestors to answer their prayers.”

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It added: “The indoor ceremony of ushering new yam (Emorho) into the Palace, would be performed on Tuesday, 30th September, 2025″.

READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Replaces Suspended Dukes, Appoints New District Heads

Thereafter, all sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom and, by extension indigenes and non-indigenes living in Edo State who participated in the two weeks fasting and prayer are to commence the eating of the new yam.

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“The Omo N’Oba prays to God Almighty to grant us peace and happiness in our individual homes”.

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UNIBEN Bars 5000 Students From Writing Exam

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No fewer than 5,000 students of the University of Benin are likely to miss the second semester examination over failure to pay their school fees.

A memo released by the Registrar of the institution, Ademola Bobola, said they are the students who failed to pay their school charges despite repeated reminders, and that they failed to subscribe to students’ loan being provided by the Nigerian Education Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to Bobola, to make sure that the defaulting students are bar from writing the second semester examination which has already commenced today, September 29, 2025, the school management has put in place an enforcement team.

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The memo reads partly, “With the Second Semester examination set to begin on Monday 29th September, 2025, these students shall be barred from writing the examination if they fail to pay their school charges or subscribe to the students loan by NELFUND.

READ ALSO: UNIBEN Releases Screening Results, Begins Admission Process

“About 5,000 students have been identified in this category of defaulters.

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“In compliance with the directive of Senate of the University of Benin, these students SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED to write the forthcoming examination.

“Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are SPECIALLY required to enforce the directive of Senate without compromise.

“In this regard, the Provost, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are to publish the list of ALL DEFAULTING STUDENTS in their respective Colleges, Schools, Faculties, Institutes and Departments not later than 8am on Monday, 29th September, 2025.

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READ ALSO:200-level Student Wins Car As MTN Thrills UNIBEN With Campus Invasion

“This is to enable the affected students to know their status as defaulters and afford them the opportunity to remedy their situation before the examination begins.

“Management has, accordingly, appointed an Enforcement Task Force headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), to monitor and enforce full compliance with the directive of Senate.

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“Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the University’s high standards.”

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