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Tag: Emefiele

  • Emefiele: Why we released $6.2m for payment of election observers, by CBN director

    Emefiele: Why we released $6.2m for payment of election observers, by CBN director

    A senior official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Michael Onyeka Ogbu has explained why the apex bank released $6,230,000 for the payment of some international election observers before the last general elections.

    Ogbu, currently a deputy director and head of the service delivery division of the CBN, said the funds were released because the request documents contained evidence of approvals by the then President Muhammadu Buhari and the immediate past Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

    He spoke while testifying on Monday, February 12, as a prosecution witness in the trial of Emefiele.

    Emefiele is being prosecuted on a 20-count amended charge, filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in which he is among others, accused of engaging in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.

    He is, in the amended charge, accused of forging a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated 26 January, 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 to the Governor of the CBN.

    Emefiele was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023, knowingly obtained, by false pretence, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

    Ogbu, who was led in evidence on Monday by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said he served as the Branch Controller until he was redeployed in September 2023.

    He recalled that on February 8, 2023, there was a payment request, addressed to the Branch Controller.

    “On that day the request for the payment of $6,230,000 was received in my office by my Office Assistant, who brought it to my attention. When I received the document, I found that it was from the Banking Services Department.

    “The Director, Banking Services signed the memo, and the content of the memo contained an instruction for the Branch Controller to pay the sum of $6,230,000 to a staff of the Secretary to the government of the federation, with the identity and the name of the person mentioned.

    “The memo said the payment was for international election observers and that we should debit an account – Naira Forex Account – with the naira equivalent of $6,230,000.

    “The memo also said that the money will be refunded in the second quarter of 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

    “It went on to say ‘find attached the approval of the governor of the CBN for the payment.’

    “The attachment had the approval of the governor of the CBN. It also had the approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the request letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

    Ogbu said after going through the documents and being satisfied, he minuted on it to the Head of the Business Services Unit for processing and payment.

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    On whether the money was eventually released, the witness said: “Payment was eventually made. The $6,230,000 was paid on the 8th of September 2023. The payment was in cash.”

    At that point, Oyedepo handed the witness a bundle of documents, which Ogbu identified as the documents he referred to.

    Identifying each of the documents one at a time, the witness said the first page “is the payment slip which was issued at the point of payment from my bank to the person nominated to receive the payment.

    “The second page is the memo from the Banking Services Department, authorising the Branch to make the payment of $6,230,000.

    “The third page is the request of the Director, Banking Services Department for approval of the Governor for the payment”

    The witness said the fourth page contained a copy of the identification of the authorized cashier and an identity card from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The fifth page, the witness said was a draft of the memo for approval, which was sent to the Governor, from the Banking Services Department, containing the governor’s okay (approval) and signature.

    The sixth page, Ogbu said, was the request letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, addressed to the Governor of the CBN conveying presidential approval for the payment of the $6,230,000.

    Ogbu told the court that the presidential approval was addressed to the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Oyedepo was in the process of tendering the documents when he noticed that some of them were not properly certified.

    He prayed the court to be allowed to tender them as they were, with a promise to replace them later with properly certified copies, a request the defence lawyer, Matthew Burkaa (SAN) rejected.

    Oyedepo then urged the court to grant him a brief stand down of about 30 minutes to get the documents certified, which Burkaa also rejected.

    Burkaa argued that the prosecution couldn’t have the documents certified within the 30 minutes suggested by Oyedepo.

    He urged the court to, instead, grant an adjournment to allow the prosecution sufficient time to put its house in order, an option the judge, Justice Hamza Muazu felt comfortable with.

    With the agreement of lawyers to parties in the case, Justice Muazu adjourned till February 13 for the continuation of the trial.

  • Alleged Procurement Fraud: EFCC opens case against Emefiele

    Alleged Procurement Fraud: EFCC opens case against Emefiele

    The EFCC on Monday opened its case in the trial of the suspended Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on procurement fraud charge in an FCT High Court in Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency had charged Emefiele with amended 20 counts of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others, all of which he denied on Friday.

    Emefiele was previously charged with six counts and first arraigned on 28 November 2023, before the EFCC filed the amended charges necessitating a re-arraignment.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

    The EFCC’s First Witness (PW 1) Onyeka Ogbu , a deputy director in CBN , branch operations, while led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, sais 6.2 million dollars was kept aside for international election observers.

    “On Jan.8, 2023 request for payment of  6.2 million dollars was brought to my attention by the Banking services department.

    ” Ours is to make payment,  we don’t have power to approve.

    ” Having gone through the documents and satisfied, I minuted on it  and sent it for processing  and disbursement which was complied to. ” he said.

    He prayed for the matter to be stood down to enable him get more documents.

    But the former CBN governor’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, a SAN, refused the prayer  of the prosecution.

    He said an adjournment would be better for the prosecution to get all the Certified  true copies and also for the witness to be cross-examined.

    After listening to their submissions, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter until Tuesday for continuation of trial.

    In some  of the amended charges EFCC,  alleged that Emefiele, in Janaury 2023,  forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

    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.”

    According to the amended charge marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, connived with one  Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, 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.”

    Read Also: Buhari on cabals, Emefiele, naira redesign

    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 offence, according to EFCC, contravened the provisions of sections 17, 19 of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act, 2000, also, sections 315, 363 and 364 of the penal code.

    The anti-graft agency had in August, first charged Emefiele and Mrs Sa’adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, purported to belonged to Yaro, on alleged breach of the procurement Act in respect of the purchase of some vehicles.

    (NAN)

  • Emefiele pleads not guilty as corruption, forgery trial begins Feb 12

    Emefiele pleads not guilty as corruption, forgery trial begins Feb 12

    The immediate past Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, yesterday pleaded not guilty to the amended 20-count charge of  criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense and obtaining money by false pretense preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court which is trying him granted the plea of Emefiele’s legal team to be allowed to continue to enjoy the bail conditions earlier granted him by the court.

    Justice Hamza Muazu fixed commencement of proceedings in the trial for February 12.

    The former CBN governor was initially arraigned on November 17, 2023, on a six-count charge, of leveraging his position to bestow corrupt advantages upon a staff member, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro.

    He was granted bail on the sum of N300m and two sureties in like sum on November 22, 2023.

    He was, however, re-arraigned last Thursday under the amended charges.

    His legal team requested an adjournment to enable them study the new charges.

    Soon after the  amended  charges were read yesterday, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), citing Section 221 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act that ‘Objections shall not be taken during the proceeding or trial on the ground of imperfect or erroneous charge’, objected to Count One based on its franking (framing of the charge).

    He told the court that although he had no issue with the original charge, he was worried by the construction of the revised version.

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    Count One on the charge sheet reads: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N854,700,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offense.”

    The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), countered, saying the objection was improper at the stage of taking the plea.

    Citing previous court pronouncements on the issue, Oyedepo said, “The stage is not set yet to take objections on the validity or otherwise of the charge, the defense must wait. After the plea has been taken, the defense may raise objections on the validity or otherwise of the charge. The objection is premature and should not be entertained now”.

    Justice Muazu said Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was clear on the subject and told the counsel that the objection was noted but not enough to stop proceeding.

    Section 396. (1) reads: “The defendant to be tried on an information or charge shall be arraigned in accordance with the provisions of this Act relating to the taking of pleas and the procedure on it.

    ‘(2) After the plea has been taken, the defendant may raise any objection to the validity of the charge or the information at any time before judgment provided that such objection shall only be considered along with the substantive issues and a ruling thereon made at the time of delivery of judgment.”

    Muazu asked  Burkaa to properly file the objection if he wished to continue with it.

    The reading of the charges continued and Emefiele pleaded not guilty to each charge brought against him by the anti-graft agency.

    Thereafter, the defence counsel enjoined the court to allow the ex-CBN governor to continue to enjoy the conditions of the bail earlier granted him by the court.

    The EFCC counsel raised no objections to the plea on bail conditions, saying they (prosecutors) needed the accused person to be healthy to attend trial.

    Justice Muazu then adjourned the trial to February 12 and 13, 2024 while granting the plea on the condition of the bail.

    The amended 20-count charges dated 17th January 2024 are:

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N854,700,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Avalon at the cost of Ninety-Nine Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N99,900,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of Seventy-three Million and eight hundred Thousand Naira (N73,800,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 2 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles at the cost of Forty-Four Million Two hundred thousand Naira (N44,200,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (Nos.) Toyota Land Cruiser VXR V8 (CONTRACT NO: PO026821) at the cost of Sixty Nine Million Naira (N69,000,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (Nos.) Toyota Land Cruiser VXR V8 at the cost of Sixty Nine Million Naira (N69,000,000.00) only (CONTRACT NO: PO26822) to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offense.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in December, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Eighty Two Million, Eighty-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (N 82,086,129.30) to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in December 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence by awarding in favor of the said company, a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Eighty Two Million, Eighty-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty- Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (N 82,086,129.30) and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence by awarding in favor of the said company, a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Ninety Nine Million, Eighty and Twenty-Six Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty-Two, Naira, Forty-Seven Kobo (N 99,826,452.47) and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Ninety Nine Million, Eighty and Twenty Six Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty Two, Naira, Forty Seven Kobo (N 99,826,452.47) to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in April, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence, by approving the payment of the total sum of Ninety Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Thirty Eight Kobo (N97,998,416.38) in favour of the said company for the supply of office Furniture to Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in April, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother in-law Omoile Macombo by approving the payment of the total sum of Ninety Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Thirty Eight Kobo (N97,998,416.38) in favour of Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders for the supply of office Furniture to Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence.

  • Emefiele’s corruption, forgery trial commences February 12

    Emefiele’s corruption, forgery trial commences February 12

    The proceedings for the trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), are set to begin on February 12.

    Emefiele was re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the Federal government on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense and obtaining money by false pretense.

    The commencement of the trial next month followed the pronouncement of Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Friday, who also granted the plea of the legal team of the former CBN governor to be allowed to continue to enjoy the bail conditions earlier granted him by the court.

    Initially arraigned on November 17, 2023, on a six-count charge, Emefiele faced allegations of leveraging his position to bestow corrupt advantages upon a staff member, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro. 

    He was granted bail on the sum of N300m and two sureties in like sum on November 22, 2023.

    On Thursday, January 18, 2023, he was re-arraigned to address the amended charges, but his legal team requested an adjournment to facilitate a thorough study of the new charges.

    However, on Friday, January 19, as soon as the Court Clerk began reading the charges, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mathew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), citing Section 221 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act that ‘Objections shall not be taken during the proceeding or trial on the ground of imperfect or erroneous charge’, objected to Count One based on its franking (framing of the charge). 

    He referenced a couple of authorities to support his assertion regarding the formulation of the amended charge, clarifying that while he had no issue with the original charge, his concern lay with the construction of the revised version.

    Count One on the charge sheet reads: ‘That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N854,700,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offense.

    The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), countered, saying the objection was improper at the stage of taking the plea.

    Citing previous court pronouncements on the issue, Oyedepo said, “The stage is not set yet to take objections on the validity or otherwise of the charge, the defense must wait. After the plea has been taken, the defense may raise objections on the validity or otherwise of the charge. The objection is premature and should not be entertained now”.

    Justice Muazu said Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was clear on the subject while telling the counsels that the objection was noted but not enough to stop proceeding.

    Section 396. (1) reads: ‘The defendant to be tried on an information or charge shall be arraigned in accordance with the provisions of this Act relating to the taking of pleas and the procedure on it.

    ‘(2) After the plea has been taken, the defendant may raise any objection to the validity of the charge or the information at any time before judgment provided that such objection shall only be considered along with the substantive issues and a ruling thereon made at the time of delivery of judgment’.

    He asked the Burkaa to properly file the objection if he wished to continue with it.

    The reading of the charges continued and Emefiele pleaded not guilty to each charge brought against him by the anti-graft agency.

    With the conclusion of the not guilty pleas of Emefiele, his lawyer also enjoined the court to allow the ex-CBN governor to continue to enjoy the conditions of the bail earlier granted him by the court.

    The EFCC counsel raised no objections to the plea on bail conditions, saying they (prosecutors) needed the troubled former CBN governor to be healthy to attend the trial.

    Justice Muazu in his pronouncement adjourned the trial to the 12th and 13th of February 2024 while granting the plea on the condition of the bail.

    The amended 20-count charges dated 17th January 2024 are:

    Read Also: JUST IN: Emefiele pleads not guilty to 20-count charge 

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of Eight Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N854,700,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Avalon at the cost of Ninety-Nine Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N99,900,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of Seventy-three Million and eight hundred Thousand Naira (N73,800,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 2 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles at the cost of Forty-Four Million Two hundred thousand Naira (N44,200,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (Nos.) Toyota Land Cruiser VXR V8 (CONTRACT NO: PO026821) at the cost of Sixty Nine Million Naira (N69,000,000.00) only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use 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 by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (Nos.) Toyota Land Cruiser VXR V8 at the cost of Sixty Nine Million Naira (N69,000,000.00) only (CONTRACT NO: PO26822) to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a Director and you thereby committed an offense.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in December, 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Eighty Two Million, Eighty-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (N 82,086,129.30) to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in December 2014 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence by awarding in favor of the said company, a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Eighty Two Million, Eighty-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty- Nine Naira, Thirty Kobo (N 82,086,129.30) and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence by awarding in favor of the said company, a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Ninety Nine Million, Eighty and Twenty-Six Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty-Two, Naira, Forty-Seven Kobo (N 99,826,452.47) and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of Ninety Nine Million, Eighty and Twenty Six Thousand, Four hundred and Fifty Two, Naira, Forty Seven Kobo (N 99,826,452.47) to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in April, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence, by approving the payment of the total sum of Ninety Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Thirty Eight Kobo (N97,998,416.38) in favour of the said company for the supply of office Furniture to Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in April, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother in-law Omoile Macombo by approving the payment of the total sum of Ninety Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Thirty Eight Kobo (N97,998,416.38) in favour of Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders for the supply of office Furniture to Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in January, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, an incorporated company known to act subject to your influence, by approving the payment of the total sum of Fifty Eight Million, Five Hundred and Sixrty Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira, Twenty Three Kobo (N58,560,740.23) in favour of the said company for the “Provision of dedicated powerline to Governor’s Residence, Lagos” and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in April, 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother in-law Omoile Macombo by approving the payment of the total sum of Fifty Eight Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira, Twenty Three Kobo (N58,560,740.23) in favour of Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders for the supply of office Furniture to Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States of America Dollar ($6,230,000.00) entrusted to your care in your capacity as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about 8th February, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst being entrusted with the total sum of Six Million, two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States of America Dollars ($6,230,000.00) in your capacity as the Governor and official of the Central Bank of Nigeria respectively, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of that property and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: forgery of a document titled: RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS dated 26 January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did forge a document titled: RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS dated 26 January, 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 to the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to obtain by false pretence the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar and you thereby committed an offence.

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about the 8th day of February, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of Six Million, two Hundred and thirty thousand ($6,230,000.00) “in line with Mr. President’s directive” which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.

  • JUST IN: Emefiele pleads not guilty to 20-count charge 

    JUST IN: Emefiele pleads not guilty to 20-count charge 

    Godwin Emefiele, the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, entered a plea of not guilty to the amended 20-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    During his re-arraignment at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja on Friday, January 19, Emefiele denied all charges.

    Read Also: Fed Govt charges Emefiele with lying to obtain $6.2m

    The trial has however been adjourned to the 12th and 13th of February for trial.

    The defense team pleaded that Emefiele be allowed to continue to enjoy his bail earlier granted him by the court.

    The prosecutor did not object, stating that they wanted him to attend his trial in good health.

    Emefiele’s bail condition was also sustained by the trial Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu.

    Details shortly… 

  • Fed Govt charges Emefiele with lying to obtain $6.2m

    Fed Govt charges Emefiele with lying to obtain $6.2m

    • ‘Ex-CBN boss awarded multi-million naira contracts to family members’ •Hearing begins

    The Federal Government has charged former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele with obtaining $6.23 million by false pretence.

    In the amended charge dated January 17 and filed for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Emefiele is accused of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.

    He is accused of conspiring with Odoh Eric Ocheme (at large) to obtain $6.23 million in the name of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The prosecution said he awarded multi-million naira contracts to a company in which his wife, Omoile Margaret, and brother-in-law, Omoile Macombo, are directors and major shareholders.

    He is also accused of forging a document, titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions, dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

    Emefiele allegedly claimed the document emanated from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Oyedepo informed the court about the amended charge at the resumption of proceedings in the case before Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama.

    Obtaining by false pretence is one of the counts in the 14 charges added to the six counts earlier filed against the former apex bank boss.

    Emefiele was arraigned on November 17, 2023, for allegedly using his position to confer corrupt advantage on a staff member, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro.

    He allegedly awarded contracts for the supply of vehicles to a company, April 1616 Investment Ltd, in which Yaro is a director, between 2018 and 2020, to the tune of N1,210,600,000.

    Emefiele pleaded not guilty.

    Defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), informed the court that his client filed a motion for the variation of some of the conditions attached to the N300m bail earlier granted him.

    Burkaa prayed the court to grant the motion, a prayer Oyedepo did not object to, but urged the court to ensure that the defendant remains within the country within the duration of the trial.

    The prosecutor urged the court to direct the defence team to write an undertaking that the defendant would remain in the country.

    Burkaa said the defence was served with the amended charge yesterday and needed time to study it.

    Ruling, Justice Muazu granted the prayer and ordered that Emefiele should remain within Nigeria for his trial.

    The judge adjourned till today for Emefiele’s arraignment on the amended charge.

    Some of the new counts: 

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (still at large) on or about 8th February 2023 in Abuja, whilst being entrusted with the total sum of $6,230,000.00 in your capacity as the Governor and official of the Central Bank of Nigeria respectively, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of that property and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 315 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (still at large) on or about the 8th day of February 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26 January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 “in line with Mr. President’s directive” which representation you knew to be 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.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Court grants Emefiele permission to travel out of Abuja

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (still at large) sometime in January 2023 in Abuja, did forge a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated 26 January 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 to the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 363 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990 and punishable under section 364 of the same code. 

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in December 2014 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of N82,086,129.30 to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and 

    majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. 

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in April 2019 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by approving the payment of the total sum of N97,998,416.38 in favour of Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders for the supply of office furniture to Central Bank of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence. 

    *That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of 99,826,452.47) to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence. 

  • BREAKING: Court grants Emefiele permission to travel out of Abuja

    BREAKING: Court grants Emefiele permission to travel out of Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the request of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to travel out of Abuja.

    The Nation reports that Emefiele appeared in court on Thursday, January 18, to seek a variation of his bail conditions.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Emefiele appears in court, seeks variation of bail conditions

    The court, however, said Emefiele must remain in the country.

    In his bail terms, he was restricted to the FCT.

    Details shortly…

  • Why I didn’t sack Emefiele, Buhari explains in Adesina’s memoir

    Why I didn’t sack Emefiele, Buhari explains in Adesina’s memoir

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, January 16, stated that he didn’t sack Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when there were speculations about Emefiele’s presidential ambition, emphasizing that Emefiele never discussed it with him.

    This revelation and others were made public in a memoir titled “Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023)”, written by former Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and presented in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The book also put up the former President’s defense of his administration’s Naira redesign policy, implemented by the then, Emefiele, saying it helped the country achieve a clean general election in 2023.

    The former President maintained that those who had a problem with the policy were individuals who had too much money.

    Under the book’s 12th chapter, the former President said: “The scarcity of money was not deliberately done to punish Nigerians. Democracy allows people to express their will, and we did not attempt to control them. People understood the implications of their choices, and we did not force them.

    Read Also: I will have my empire soon, says Ilebaye

    “My state, Katsina, showed the beauty of the whole system. In the Presidential poll, APC lost, but they came back to win the governorship. Maybe they took things for granted earlier because it was my state, and they thought they would win easily. People do not like being taken for granted.

    “I met Enefiele in office when I came, and unless there was firm evidence against him, it would be unfair and an act of injustice to remove him, acting on hearsay.

    “If you punish a man unjustly, it could dog his footsteps throughout life, so if you would punish, you must have evidence and you should know that yourself wouldn’t be there forever. You would leave one day.

    “I’m very conscious about the morale of people who serve with me. I also expect whoever succeeds me to be fair to me. I have family, friends, who will feel it. I’m very conscious of fairness.

    “When he was linked with campaign for 2023 presidency, I did not ask him, because he told nobody he was getting involved. Otherwise, I would have removed him and told the nation why.

    “There is no denying that the naira redesign policy gave us cleaner elections. It was people who had too much money that had problems with it.

    “When it was said that the new notes were not available, over N260 million was found with one bank chairman. Did I take on the Supreme Court on the issue? No, I could not have.

    “Some APC governors went to court. I refused to judge people by my own standard, I am not materialistic, but it will be too much to expect all Nigerians to be the same way. It is not fair to condemn anybody, but it is up to them and their conscience. I want to continue to conduct myself with clear conscience, so that when I go to bed, I sleep off immediately”, the book read.

  • Emefiele: EFCC to appeal N100m fine

    Emefiele: EFCC to appeal N100m fine

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  said yesterday it would appeal the N100 million fine imposed on it by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for detaining Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  former Governor Godwin Emefiele.

    The anti-graft agency said the judge failed to take into cognizance,   the fact that it had a valid court order for  Emefiele’s detention.

    Justice Olukayode Adeniyi while ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit by a former CBN boss, held that no law allows any government agency to detain a Nigerian beyond the period permitted by  Section 35 (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Justice  Adeniyi went on to slam the N100 million fine against the anti-corruption agency for keeping Emefiele behind bars for almost five months as against a maximum of 48 hours allowed by law.

    But the EFCC,  in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity,  Dele Oyewale, said it was dissatisfied with the ruling.

    Oyewale said:  ”The EFCC has expressed dissatisfaction with a judgment of the  FCT High Court awarding N100 million damages against it in favour of a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  Godwin Emefiele.

    “Justice O.A Adeniyi, on Monday, January 8, 2024, fined the Commission after he ruled that the commission’s detention of Emefiele in the course of his investigation was a violation of his right to liberty.

    “The decision failed to take into cognizance,  the fact that the former CBN boss was held with a valid order of court.

    “Consequently, the commission will approach the Court of Appeal to set it aside.”

    Justice Adeniyi had held that the respondents —  the EFCC and its chairman as well as   the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF)-  

      violated Emefiele’s right to personal liberty as guaranteed by Section 35(1) of the Constitution.

    He recalled that the respondents detained Emefiele from June 13, 2023, to November 8, 2023 (when he was released on bail) without arraigning him in court.

    The judge also noted that by the evidence before him, Emefiele was detained within the jurisdiction of his court from June 13 to November 8, 2023. 

    While frowning at the way the respondents handled the case, the judge said, that as a creation of the law, the Federal Government and its agencies must learn to conduct their businesses by the law.  

    He noted that the respondents failed to draw the court’s attention to any law that allowed them to continue to detain a citizen indefinitely without a court order and without arraigning him.   

    The judge added that the order that the EFCC claimed to have acted upon was suspicious because a  copy tendered to his  court was not certified by any official of the Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse, Zone 2, Abuja where it emanated from.  

    He also stated that the order bore two conflicting dates   –  October 27, 2023 and April 26, 2023.

    Justice Adeniyi added that even if the order was real, it was disrespectful for the EFCC   to go before a Chief Magistrates Court to obtain an order to detain a person against whom a charge was pending before his court.   

    He, however, rejected Emefiele’s claim that the respondents violated his right to life.

    “The provision of Section 33 of the Constitution is not in any way, applicable to the case at hand since the applicant did not place any materials before the court in support of the alleged likelihood of the violation of his right to life guaranteed by that provision,” Justice Awoniyi said.

    The judge noted that to succeed in a case of breach of rights to life,  an applicant must prove that a  respondent threatened to kill him.

     He added that a mere oral threat on the part of any of the respondents is not enough to sustain the action.

     His words: “The threat should be backed up by an overt act of an attempt to kill or exhibition of weapon or materials capable of effecting the murder or killing of the applicant.

     ”In the present case, the applicant is very much alive. As such, the contention that his fundamental rights to life have been breached does not ordinarily arise.

    Read Also: Aregbesola sued for creating factions in APC

    “The issue about the likelihood of the applicant’s right to life being violated became academic and overtaken by events having been released from his detention of the fourth respondent on the 8th of November 2023 upon the order of this court.”

    Apart from the N100 million fine, Justice Adeniy restrained the respondents from further arresting and detaining Emefiele without first obtaining an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

    He said:” It is hereby declared that the actions of the first and fourth respondents and their agents incarcerating the applicants from June 13, 2023, to October 26, 2023, when he was transferred to the custody of the fourth respondent (EFCC) and his further detention by the third and fourth respondents (Chairman of the EFCC and the commission) without arraignment in the court of law for the commission of any offence up until November 8, 2023, when, by the order of this court, the applicant was released on bail to his senior learned counsel, constitutes a flagrant violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty preserved by the provision of Section 35 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 and Article 6 of the African charter on human and peoples right.

    “Also,  a sum of N100 million only is hereby awarded in favour of the applicant against the first and fourth respondents jointly as damages for the unlawful violation of his fundamental rights to his liberty.  

    “Without prejudice to the powers of the court concerning the criminal trial, the applicant is currently facing at the High Court of the FCT,  the respondents are hereby restrained either by themselves,  their officers,  agents, or any person acting on their behalf from further re-arresting or detaining the applicants without an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. “

  • Emefiele: EFCC to appeal against N100m fine

    Emefiele: EFCC to appeal against N100m fine

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday evening rejected the N100million fine imposed on it by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for detaining a former governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

    The commission said it will go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment of Justice O.A Adeniyi.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Dele Oyewale said the commission detained Emefiele with a valid court order.

    The statement said: “The EFCC has expressed dissatisfaction with a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court awarding N100 million damages against it in favour of a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  Godwin Emefiele.

    Read Also: 50% implementation of 2024 Budget will ease current harsh economic realities – Uzodinma

    “Justice O.A Adeniyi, on Monday, January 8, 2024  fined the Commission after he ruled that the Commission’s detention of Emefiele in the course of his investigation was a violation of his right to liberty.

    “The decision failed to take cognizance of the fact that the former CBN boss was held with a valid order of court. Consequently, the Commission will approach the Court of Appeal to set it aside.”