The Federal Government has amended the charges against the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, reducing the original 20 counts to six. The charges, which revolve around alleged procurement fraud, were initially filed in August, with the government asserting the fraudulent activities amounted to N6.5 billion.
Emefiele was originally charged alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, and her company, April 1616 Investment. The charges alleged procurement fraud and were filed in August. However, the arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja faced delays on two occasions as the Department of State Services (DSS) failed to produce Emefiele in court.
Following Emefiele’s release by the DSS and immediate re-arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 27, the Federal Government amended the charges. In the amended charge sheet marked CR/577/2023, obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, the counts were reduced to six, and the alleged procurement fraud was adjusted from N6.9 billion to N1.2 billion.
Emefiele is now the sole defendant in the new charge. The amended charges allege that he illegally purchased 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion. The charges include accusations of corruptly awarding contracts for the procurement of Toyota vehicles to April1616 Investment Ltd., a company where Yaro serves as a director.
However, the scheduled arraignment on Wednesday faced further delays due to the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. Workers in the court, following the directive from the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, joined the strike, resulting in the suspension of court proceedings.
The amended charges accuse Emefiele of using his position to confer corrupt advantages on Yaro, including awarding contracts for the supply of Toyota vehicles valued at millions of naira. The charges specify instances of contract awards for Toyota Hilux and Toyota Avalon vehicles, with the overall procurement value reduced to N1.2 billion.
As the legal proceedings navigate these developments, the case is expected to unfold against the backdrop of the ongoing strike, causing disruptions in the judicial system.
