Channels Television’s Judiciary Correspondent, Shola Soyele, has acquired a copy of the amended 20-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on January 17, 2024. The charge, submitted by counsel Rotimi Oyedepo and three others on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation, reveals an increase from the initial 6 counts filed in August 2023 against the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele.
Initially accused of alleged fraudulent procurement, Emefiele had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by Justice Hamza Muazu on November 22, 2023. The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, confirmed to Channels TV that a fresh arraignment is scheduled for the following day before Justice Muazu.
Oyedepo explained that the amended charge now comprises 20 counts, incorporating new allegations concerning the fraudulent award of contracts to Emefiele’s wife, Omoile Margret, his brother-in-law, Omoile Macombo, and other associates.
The amended charge encompasses counts related to conspiracy to commit forgery, conferring of corrupt advantage, criminal breach of trust, among others. For instance, Count 1 accuses Emefiele of conferring a corrupt advantage by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles to Sa’aclatu Ramallan Yaro, a CBN staff, at the cost of N854,700,000, benefiting a company in which Yaro is a Director.
Other counts include accusations of conferring corrupt advantage on Emefiele’s wife and brother-in-law through the awarding of a contract for the total renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence. Additionally, there are charges of conspiracy to commit forgery involving a document titled “PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS.”
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, on Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court approved Emefiele’s request to travel out of Abuja, specifying that he must remain within the country, adhering to the bail terms restricting his movements to the Federal Capital Territory.
