Emefiele Fails Trial Of Release, EFCC Presents N1.2bn Trial

Emefiele Fails Trial Of Release, EFCC Presents N1.2bn Trial

In the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its case before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The EFCC called three witnesses to testify against Emefiele in the N1.2bn procurement fraud charges.

Emefiele, who was brought to court from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, remains in custody as he has not yet met the N300m bail granted to him by the court last week.

The EFCC had arraigned him on six counts, accusing him of engaging in procurement fraud while serving as the CBN governor.

During the trial proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), called the first witness, an official from the Corporate Affairs Commission named Samsideen Romanus.

Romanus testified that Emefiele was neither a shareholder nor the owner of the company April 1616, which he was accused of favoring illegally in procurement.

The second witness, identified as Remigious Ugwu, a compliance officer with the commercial bank, provided evidence of various payments made by the CBN into the account of April 1616 Investment Limited.

He mentioned specific amounts such as N39,060,465 on October 19, 2020, N421,953,488 on November 6, 2020, N304,883,720 on November 23, 2020, N304,883,720 on January 1, 2021, and N304,883,720 on March 23, 2021. According to Ugwu, these payments did not bear Emefiele’s name, and he was unaware of their purpose.

These testimonies and evidence presented by the EFCC provide insight into the alleged procurement fraud involving Emefiele during his tenure as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The trial will continue with further examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence to establish the veracity of the charges against Emefiele.

Oluwole Owoeye, the third witness and former secretary of the CBN’s Major Contract Tendering Committee, testified that his body was responsible for ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act.

However, he clarified under cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), that his committee was not involved in the vetting of bids for contracts that are the subject of the prosecution.

Justice Hamza Muazu then adjourned the case until January 18 and 19, 2024.