Michael Odigwe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Godwin Emefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The re-arraignment took place on Friday, January 19, 2024, involving 20 amended charges related to corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretenses amounting to $6,230,000.00.
One of the charges alleges that Emefiele, in 2018, used his position as CBN governor to confer a corrupt advantage by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company where a Central Bank staff, Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro, is a director. Another charge accuses Emefiele and Odoh Eric Ocheme (still at large) of knowingly obtaining $6,230,000.00 by false pretense, misrepresenting that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had requested the Central Bank to provide a contingent logistic advance, a representation known to be false.
Before entering a “not guilty” plea, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, 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 and advised the defense counsel to submit the objection in writing. The trial date was set for February 12 and 13, 2024, and Emefiele’s bail was sustained. Emefiele had previously pleaded “not guilty” to six-count charges of procurement fraud on November 17, 2023.
