EFCC Arrests Former Lawmaker Gudaji Kazaure Over Alleged N70m Payment from Emefiele

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former House of Representatives member, Mohammed Gudaji Kazaure, over allegations of receiving N70 million from former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele. The arrest took place in Kano shortly after a High Court lifted a restraining order that had previously shielded Kazaure from apprehension.

According to sources within the EFCC, the funds were delivered in separate installments by an individual identified as Mr. Eric, believed to be an emissary of Mr. Emefiele. The first payment of N20 million was allegedly made for the purchase of Sallah rams, while a subsequent N50 million was reportedly given as a donation following a fire incident at Kazaure’s residence.

Kazaure is currently being held at the EFCC’s Kano office and may be transferred to Abuja to face formal charges. His arrest comes against the backdrop of his earlier public accusations against Emefiele. In December 2022, Kazaure claimed that N89.1 trillion in stamp duty revenues had gone missing under the former CBN governor’s watch. He also alleged that he had been obstructed from submitting a preliminary report by a presidential committee established to investigate the matter.

The Presidency later refuted Kazaure’s claims, stating through then-presidential spokesman Garba Shehu that the allegations were baseless and that the committee in question had already been disbanded.