EFCC Re-arraigns Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on Fresh Charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

Emefiele faced a total of 20 amended charges, including conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretences amounting to Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars ($6,230,000.00).

Count One of the charges accused Emefiele of using his position as the CBN governor to confer a corrupt advantage by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles to a company in which a CBN staff, Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro, is a director. The cost of the contract was stated as Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N854,700,000.00).

Count 20 alleged that Emefiele and Odoh Eric Ocheme (still at large) knowingly obtained, by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars. They falsely represented that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in line with Mr. President’s directive, which was known to be false.

Before entering his plea, Emefiele’s counsel objected to the charges, citing Section 221 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015. However, Justice Muazu overruled the objection, stating that objections should be heard after the defendant pleads. He advised the defense counsel to submit the objection in writing.

Emefiele pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, and the court set the trial date for February 12 and 13, 2024. Justice Muazu sustained the earlier granted bail to the defendant.

The EFCC initially arraigned Emefiele on November 17, 2023, on six-count charges related to procurement fraud, to which he also pleaded “not guilty.”

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