EFCC Opens Case in Trial of Suspended CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele for Procurement Fraud

The trial of suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on charges of procurement fraud commenced on Monday at an FCT High Court in Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting its case.

Emefiele, who had previously been charged with six counts, now faces amended 20 counts of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others.

He denied all charges during his arraignment on Friday, prompting the amended charges and a re-arraignment.

The EFCC’s first witness, Onyeka Ogbu, a Deputy Director in CBN branch operations, testified that a request for the payment of 6.2 million dollars for international election observers was processed and disbursed following due diligence.

Ogbu’s request for a stand-down to gather more documents was opposed by Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, who argued that an adjournment would be more appropriate for the prosecution to gather all necessary documents and for the witness to be cross-examined.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the trial to Tuesday for continuation.

Among the amended charges, the EFCC alleges that Emefiele forged a document titled “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” claiming it was dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

The agency also alleges that Emefiele, in February 2023, connived with an individual, Odoh Ocheme, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN under false pretenses.

The EFCC further alleges that Emefiele awarded a contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s lodge to a company where he and Ocheme are directors and majority shareholders, contravening various sections of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and sections of the penal code.