A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned until Oct. 21 for the continuation of the trial of the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele over alleged procurement fraud.
Emefiele is charged with an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence when he served as the apex bank’s boss.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former CBN boss 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 purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).
Besides he is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
In the amended charge, Emefiele was alleged to have, on Feb. 8, 2023, knowingly obtained, by false pretence, 6.2 million dollars by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation via a letter dated Jan. 26, 2023, requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance for $6,230,000 “in line with Presidential directive.”
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case to Oct. 21 after hearing the testimony of the 9th prosecution witness (PW9).
He further adjourned until July 8 for a hearing of Emefiele ‘s application seeking for the release of his passport to enable him attend to medical appointments.
