The trial of suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has officially begun on a procurement fraud charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an FCT High Court in Abuja. The trial commenced on Monday, with Emefiele pleading not guilty to the amended 20 counts of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others. The EFCC’s First Witness (PW 1) Onyeka Ogbu testified that 6.2 million dollars was kept aside for international election observers and that a request for payment of this amount was brought to his attention by the Banking services department on January 8, 2023. He also said that he minuted and sent it for processing and disbursement which was complied with.
Emefiele was previously charged with six counts and first arraigned on November 28, 2023, before the EFCC filed the amended charges necessitating a re-arraignment.
The EFCC alleged that Emefiele, in January 2023, forged a document titled “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, and claimed to know that it was false. The agency also alleged that Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, to obtain $6.2m from the CBN, claiming that the SGF requested it “vide a letter dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.” Furthermore, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele and Odoh Ocheme awarded the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s lodge to a company named Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders.
The charges against Emefiele contravene the provisions of sections 17 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and sections 315, 363, and 364 of the penal code. The defense counsel requested an adjournment for the prosecution to get all the Certified true copies and for the witness to be cross-examined. However, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter to Tuesday for continuation of trial.