Alleged procurement fraud: Court adjourns Emefiele’s case till June 24
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court yesterday adjourned till June 24 for continuation of hearing in the trial of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele at the instance of the prosecution.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele with 20 counts of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.
The EFCC also alleged that the suspended CBN governor forged a document, titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions, dated January 26, 2023 and purported same to have emanated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OAGF).
He is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies – April 1616 Nigeria Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited.
In the amended charge, Emefiele was alleged to have, on February 8, last year, knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6.2 million.
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The anti-graft agency alleged that he falsely represented that the AGF, vide a letter, dated January 26, last year, requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive”.
When the case was called earlier, the prosecution was neither in court nor was the defendant (Emefiele), but he was represented by one of his counsel.
Emefiele’s counsel, I. D. Ahmed, told the court that the prosecution served him a letter, praying for an adjournment.
Justice Hamza Muazu asked about the whereabouts of the defendant.
Ahmed apologised on behalf of the defendant.
The judge said: “Because you have a letter of adjournment from the prosecution does not mean the defendant should not be in court.”
Ahmed apologised on the defendant’s behalf.
Justice Muazu adjourned till June 24 and June 25 for continuation of trial.