The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) kicked off its prosecution in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, on charges of procurement fraud at an FCT High Court in Abuja on Monday.
Mr. Emefiele faces amended charges including 20 counts of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, to which he pleaded not guilty after being previously charged with six counts. His trial began on November 28, 2023, and he was re-arraigned due to the amended charges.
The EFCC’s first witness, Onyeka Ogbu, a deputy director at the CBN, testified that $6.2 million was allocated for international election observers, detailing the process of payment approval.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo requested a brief adjournment to gather additional documents, but Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, objected, proposing an adjournment for the prosecution to obtain all certified true copies and for witness cross-examination.
Justice Hamza Muazu granted an adjournment until Tuesday for the trial to resume.
Among the amended charges, the EFCC alleges that Emefiele forged a document regarding a presidential directive on foreign election observers in January 2023. Additionally, the charges claim that Emefiele, in collusion with Odoh Ocheme, who is currently at large, obtained $6.2 million from the CBN under false pretenses, purportedly requested by the secretary to the government of the federation.
The EFCC further alleges that Emefiele and Ocheme, directors and majority shareholders of Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, secured a contract for the renovation of the CBN governor’s lodge in Lagos, located at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi.
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