With all Nigerians have heard not many will believe that the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele is not corrupt.
Well, the ex-CBN governor has denied corruption allegations leveled at him by the anti-graft commission prosecuting his case.
The case of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor is, indeed, shifting attention from the off-circle elections drama and the economic challenges still staring the nation in the face.
Godwin Emefiele, was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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He appeared before Justice Hamza Muazu as the sole defendant in a reduced corruption charge from 20 to 6 counts.
Emefiele may not be going home soon, because the court remanded him at the Kuje Prison in Abuja.
The suspended CBN governor’s bail application will however be heard on November 22, 2023, at the Abuja Federal High Court.
The Full Charge
In the amended charge sheet the federal government accused Emefiele of illegally buying 43 vehicles worth ₦1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.
He was also accused of awarding a contract to procure 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at ₦854 million.
Originally, the charge was 20 counts of corruption, but the prosecutor reduced it to 6 counts.
Also, the prosecution has reduced the number of defendants to only Godwin Emefiele.
It reads: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, used your position 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 ₦854,700,000 only to April1616 Investment Ltd.
A company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a director and thereby committed an offense,” the first count said.
In the second count, it was alleged that Emefiele used his position to corruptly confer an advantage on Yaro.
By awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Avalon at the cost of ₦99,900,000 only to April1616 Investment Ltd.
A company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and thereby committed an offense.”
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Furthermore, the suspended CBN governor was also alleged to have conferred corrupt advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
By awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Landcruiser V8 to April1616 Investment Ltd. in 2019 at the cost of ₦73 million.
The fourth charge states that a Toyota Landcruiser V8 valued at ₦73,800,000 was illegally awarded to April1616 Investment Ltd.
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The ex-CBN governor was also alleged to have awarded a contract to Yaro for the supply of two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles at the cost of ₦44,200,000 in 2020.
Emefiele denied all the allegations feigning ignorance of all allegations leveled against him by the prosecutor.
