By Fortune Eromosele, Abuja
On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an amended 20-count indictment against Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in an FCT High Court.
The EFCC previously charged Emefiele on six counts. They accused a breach of procurement procedure in the award of the contract to April16 Investment Limited.
In August 2023, the anti-graft bureau prosecuted Emefiele and Sa’adatu Yaro, as well as the firm April 16 Investment Limited, for violating the Procurement Act. This was in relation to the acquisition of some vehicles.
In addition, on November 28, 2023, the EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), brought to the court’s attention an amended charge dated November 8, 2023.
In that case, Emefiele was the only defendant, and the charges were reduced from 20 to six.
Emefiele pled not guilty to the allegations.
2023 bail
On November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu granted him a bail of N300 million.
Muazu also demanded two sureties in the sum of N300 million. He stated that they must own property in Abuja’s Maitama neighborhood.
The sureties must also submit the title documents and certificates of occupancy (C of O) to the court for verification.
The judge further stated that Emefiele should provide his travel documents to the court’s registrar and must remain in Abuja during his trial time.
However, when the issue was brought up today, Oyedepo informed the court that they had recently submitted another amended charge of 20 counts against Emefiele.
Forgery, giving of a dishonest advantage, and criminal breach of trust are among the new allegations.
In response, defendant’s attorney, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), told the court that he needs time to review the revised charge sheet.
Following that, Justice Muazu delayed the matter until Friday for arraignment.
Also, Emefiele’s counsel, Burkaa, informed the Court that the defendant submitted an application on January 10 seeking a variation of the bail condition to allow him to travel within the country.
He requested the court to change the conditions for his client.
Prosecuting lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) did not oppose to the application, instead urging the court to guarantee that the defendant remains in the nation during his trial.
He also requested that the defence team provide a commitment that their client will remain in the country.
In granting the application, Justice Muazu ordered Emefiele to remain in Nigeria until his trial.
Source: VanguardNGR
