Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued an order for the immediate remand of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Emefiele faced a six-count charge presented by the Nigerian government, focusing on an alleged procurement fraud amounting to N1.6 billion.
According to Sahara Reporters, Initially, the charge included 20 counts for N6.5 billion, but it was later reduced to six charges specifically detailing the N1.6 billion procurement fraud. The revised charges identified Emefiele as the sole defendant.
During the bail application proceedings on Friday, Emefiele, having arrived just in time, pleaded not guilty to the six-count indictment. The charges continue to center around procurement fraud, as outlined in the updated charge sheet.
According to the amended charge sheet, the Nigerian government alleges that Emefiele unlawfully purchased 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020, totaling N1.2 billion. Specific accusations include awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854 million.
Count one of the charges details Emefiele using his position as CBN Governor to confer a corrupt advantage by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles to April1616 Investment Ltd., a company where the beneficiary, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, is a director. Similar allegations follow in subsequent counts, involving contracts for a Toyota Avalon, a Toyota Landcruiser V8, and two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles.
The trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, has adjourned the case to November 22 to rule on Emefiele’s bail application and set November 28 as the trial commencement date. In the interim, Emefiele has been ordered to be held at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
