A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned until October 21, for the continuation of the trial of the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over alleged procurement fraud.
Alleged Charges Against Emefiele
Emefiele is charged with an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense and obtaining money by false pretense when he served as the apex bank’s boss.
Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).
Furthermore, he is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
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Adjourned Case
Emefiele in the amended charge was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023, knowingly obtained, by false pretense, 6.2 million dollars by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance for $6,230,000 “in line with Presidential directive.”
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned until October 21, after hearing the testimony of the 9th prosecution witness (PW9).
He further adjourned until July 8 for a hearing of Emefiele‘s application seeking for the release of his passport to enable him attend to medical appointments.
Earlier, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, brought two witnesses PW8 and PW9.
Umar Tilde the 8th prosecution witness (PW8) works with Zenith Bank as Compliance Office.
