EFCC Opens Case Against Emefiele Over Alleged Procurement Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has 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.

Recall that the anti-graft agency 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.

Before the EFCC filed the amended charges necessitating a re-arraignment, he was previously charged with six counts and first arraigned on Nov. 28, 2023. In some of the amended charges EFCC, alleged that Emefiele, in January 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.

He was said to have committed an offense 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.”

EFCC also 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.”

This, according to EFCC contravened the provisions of sections 17, 19 of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act, 2000.

(NAN)