EFCC amends fraud charges against Emefiele; ex-CBN Gov gets travel permission

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an amended 20-count charge against Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in an FCT High Court on Thursday.

The anti-graft agency had earlier dragged Emefiele to court on six counts. They bordered on alleged breach of procurement procedure in the award of the contract to April 1616 Investment Limited.

The EFCC had, in August 2023, charged Emefiele and Sa’adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, with breach of the procurement act. This was concerning the purchase of some vehicles.

In addition, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), EFCC’s lawyer, drew the attention of the court to an amended charge dated November 8, 2023.

In that charge, Emefiele was the sole defendant, and the charges were reduced from 20 to six. Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Hamza Muazu, on November 22, 2023, granted him bail in the sum of N300 million.

Muazu, in addition, ordered two sureties in the sum of N300 million. He added that they must have a property in the Maitama district of Abuja.

The sureties must, in addition, present the title documents and certificates of occupancy (C of O) to the court for verification.

The judge further added that Emefiele should submit to the registrar of the court his travel documents and must be within Abuja within the period of his trial.

However, when the case came up today, Oyedepo told the court that they filed another amended charge of 20 counts against Emefiele just yesterday.

The new charges include forgery, the conferring of corrupt advantage, and criminal breach of trust, among others.

Responding, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), the defendant‘s counsel, told the court that he needed time to study the new charge sheet.

Subsequently, Justice Muazu adjourned the case until Friday for arraignment.

Also, counsel to Emefiele, Burkaa, informed the Court that the defendant filed a motion dated January 10 seeking a variation of the bail condition to enable him to travel within the country.

He urged the court to vary the conditions for his client.

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not object to the application but rather urged the court to ensure that the defendant remains within the country while his trial lasts.

He further asked that the defence team write an undertaking that their client will remain in the country.

In a ruling on the application, Justice Muazu granted the request and ordered that Emefiele should remain within Nigeria for the period of his trial.