In a recent development at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the ruling on his bail application. The decision came after Emefiele pleaded not guilty to a six-count amended charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Hamza Muazu, presiding over the case, ordered the remand and scheduled the ruling on the bail application for November 22, with the trial set to commence on November 28.
The amended charges, focusing on procurement fraud amounting to N1.6 billion, accused Emefiele of illicitly purchasing 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion. Additionally, he was charged with awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854 million.
The original 20-count charge, which implicated Emefiele alongside Mrs. Sa’adatu Yaro and April 1616 Investment Limited, had centered on procurement fraud totaling N6.5 billion. The revised charges now solely implicate Emefiele.
Count one of the charges states, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, used your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence.”
Emefiele was previously released on November 8 after spending 151 days in custody, following an order by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi. However, the recent court proceedings reveal the persistence of legal challenges, with the bail application and trial yet to unfold.
In another related matter, Justice Adeniyi of the FCT High Court, Maitama, adjourned Emefiele’s application for enforcement of rights until December 11, 2023, citing the need to review counter affidavits provided by the respondents.
Source: Vanguard
