THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja.
Emefiele was re-arraigned on Friday, January 19, 2024, on 20-count amended charges bordering on conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretences to the tune of $6,230,000.
Count One of the charges reads: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did use your position as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N854, 700,000 to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa`adutu Ramallan Yaro is a director, and you thereby committed an offence.”
Count 20 of the charges reads: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, and Odoh Eric Ocheme (still at large), on or about the 8th day of February, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of $6,230,000 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January, 2023, with Ref No. SGFF.43/L.01/201, requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President`s directive,” which representation you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence.”
Before Emefiele took his “not guilty” plea, his Counsel, Mr. Mathew Burkaa (SAN), objected to the charges, citing Section 221 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
But Justice Muazu, relying on Section 396 of ACJA, overruled his objection, saying that any objection in respect of the charges should be heard after the defendant has taken his plea.
He also advised the defence Counsel to tender his objection in writing.
Upon Emefiele’s “not guilty” plea to all the charges, prosecution Counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), asked the court for a trial date.
Justice Muazu adjourned the matter until February 12 and 13, 2024 for continuation of trial and sustained the bail earlier granted to the Emefiele.
The EFCC had on November 17, last year, arraigned Emefiele before Justice Muazu on six-count charges bordering on procurement fraud, to which he also pleaded “not guilty.”
