On Friday, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, was re-arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Read full article
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) increased the charges against Emefiele from six to 20 counts, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit felony.
Emefiele, restricted to the Federal Capital Territory, faces accusations of conferring corrupt advantages by awarding contracts to individuals associated with the CBN.
Notably, one charge involves awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles to a company in which a CBN staff member is a director.
The amended charge also accuses Emefiele of awarding contracts to his wife and brother-in-law for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence.
Additionally, there are charges related to conspiracy to commit forgery, involving an alleged agreement to forge a document titled "PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS."
In a separate case (CR/577/2023), Emefiele is accused of awarding contracts totaling N1,210,600,000 to a CBN staff member between 2018 and 2020. The trial is set to commence on February 12 and 13, 2024, following Emefiele's plea of not guilty.
The court granted him bail, allowing him to continue enjoying previous bail terms.