EFCC Nabs Ex-Lawmaker Kazaure Over Shocking ₦70 Million Allegedly Paid By Emefiele

Former House of Representatives member, Gudaji Kazaure, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of receiving ₦70 million from former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Kazaure, who represented the Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, and Yankwashi Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, was taken into custody on Wednesday.

His arrest followed a ruling by a High Court in Kano which lifted a previous restraining order that had barred the EFCC from detaining him. According to Daily Nigerian, Kazaure was apprehended by the anti-graft agency shortly after the court’s decision.

Sources claim that Kazaure allegedly received ₦70 million from Emefiele in two separate disbursements. An insider at the EFCC disclosed that the initial ₦20 million was delivered in two tranches through a middleman named Eric, who purportedly acted on behalf of the ex-CBN governor for the procurement of “Sallah Rams.”

The remaining ₦50 million was reportedly given as a “donation” to assist Kazaure after a fire razed his residence.

Kazaure is currently detained at the EFCC office in Kano, with indications that he may soon be transferred to Abuja to face formal charges.

Notably, in December 2022, Kazaure had accused Emefiele of mismanaging ₦89.1 trillion in stamp duty funds during his tenure at the CBN.