January 19, (THEWILL) – Erstwhile Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has pleaded “Not Guilty”, to a 14-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.
The charges, filed on Thursday, January 17, by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were in addition to a six-count charge of alleged breach of procurement procedure against the former apex bank chief before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu.
Filed on behalf of the AGF by EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the Federal Government alleged that Emefiele impersonated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to illegally obtain the $6.2m.
The charge, marked CR/577/2023, the EFCC said Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, connived with one Odoh Eric Ocheme (at large), to obtain $6.2m from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.”
The charge alleged that the former apex bank chief claimed that the SGF requested the CBN to release “a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 in line with Mr President’s directive.”
The EFCC said Emefiele made the claim despite knowing that it was false “and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Emefiele, in January 26, 2023, forged a document with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, titled: “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions”, which he allegedly claimed emanated from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Furthermore, Emefiele was accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his wife, Omoile Margret, and brother In-law, Omoile Macombo, by allegedly awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos to the tune of N99.8m.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s lodge, located at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was awarded to a company named Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, “wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders.”
The EFCC said Emefiele’s alleged action was a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
Taking his plea on the charges, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, Emefiele maintained his innocence of the allegations.
While hearing in the case has been adjourned until 12th and 13th of February, Justice Muazu ruled that the former apex bank chief continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the court.
THEWILL recalls that Emefiele had on November 18, pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of alleged breach of procurement procedure and granted bail on November 22, in the sum of N300 million.
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