A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele until October 21 for the continuation of proceedings over alleged procurement fraud. Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which includes allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense, and obtaining money by false pretense during his tenure as the CBN governor.
The EFCC claims Emefiele forged a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, and used his office to confer corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Additionally, he allegedly obtained $6.2 million by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in a letter requesting the CBN to provide a logistic advance in line with a supposed Presidential directive.
During the proceedings, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case after hearing testimony from the 9th prosecution witness (PW9) and set July 8 for the hearing of Emefiele’s application seeking the release of his passport to attend a medical appointment.
Earlier in the trial, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo presented two witnesses, including Umar Tilde from Zenith Bank, who testified about providing Emefiele’s account documents to the EFCC. The 9th prosecution witness, Abibia Ockiya-Ogeleye, a lawyer from A & A Legal Consociate, testified about the incorporation details of Architekon Nigeria Ltd, adding that the company had three directors, including Esther Oyeladun, who provided her with the necessary information.