The Federal Government has reduced the fraud charges against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to six counts.
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The original charges, originally 20, bordered on alleged procurement fraud amounting to N6.5 billion. This reduction comes after Emefiele’s release by the Department of State Services and subsequent re-arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on October 27.
The arraignment of Emefiele, along with a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, and her company, April 1616 Investment, has been stalled twice, primarily due to the failure of the Department of State Services to produce Emefiele in court. The recent strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress also prevented the matter from proceeding on the scheduled date.
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In the amended charge sheet, the Federal Government alleges that Emefiele illegally purchased 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion. The charges include giving a corrupt advantage to Yaro by awarding contracts for the procurement of vehicles. The counts have been reduced from 20 to six, and the quantum of the alleged procurement fraud has been reduced from N6.9 billion to N1.2 billion. Emefiele is the sole defendant in the new charge.
The charges detail instances where Emefiele allegedly used his position as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer corrupt advantages on Yaro, a CBN staff. These instances involve the awarding of contracts for the supply of Toyota Hilux vehicles, Toyota Avalon, and Toyota Landcruiser V8 to April 1616 Investment Ltd., a company in which Yaro is a director.
However, due to the ongoing strike, no court was sitting, as directed by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria at the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Lawyers, litigants, and court staff were not present on the court premises during the scheduled date.
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This development adds another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings against Emefiele, who continues to face allegations related to procurement fraud during his tenure as the CBN Governor. The reduced charges suggest a modification in the legal strategy, and the resolution of this case will likely continue to draw attention as it unfolds.
