Alex Enumah and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Barely 24 hours after the bail granted former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, was varied to allow him travel outside Abuja, the federal government yesterday re-arraigned him on a 20-count amended charge.
In the amended charge read to him before Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Maitama, Abuja, Emefiele is alleged to have obtained the sum of $6.2 million by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The government said the offence was 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.
The charge read, That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about February 8, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 “in line with Mr. President’s directive” which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.”
He was also accused of conniving with one Eric Ocheme who has been at large to commit forgery.
The government said the offence was contrary to Section 96(1) and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws Federation, 1990.
It read: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: forgery of a document titled: RE: Presidential Directive On Foreign Eection Observer Missions dated 26 January 2023 with Ref. No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and you thereby committed an offence.”
Emefiele was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his wife, Omoile Margret and Brother In-law, Omoile Macombo, by awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos to the tune of N99.8 million.
The government said the offence was contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The charge read: “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor’s Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of N99,826,452.47 to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence. “
Emefiele was first arraigned before the court on November 17, 2023, on a six-count charge bordering on conferring advantage on a female staff member of CBN, contrary to the provision of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In the charge marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele was accused of using his position as CBN governor to award six different contracts to on Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, an CBN staff member, between2018 and 2020 to the tune of N1,210,600,000.
The procurement contracts were awarded to April 16 Investment Ltd, in which the said Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero is a director.
Emefiele, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Meanwhile, the former CBN boss, who pleaded not guilty to all the 20-count, objected to the entire 20-count charge.
Responding to the objection raised, Justice Muazu directed Emefiele’s lawyer, Mr. Mathew Burkaa, SAN, to put the objection in writing.
Taking the hint from the court, the senior lawyer subsequently pleaded with the court to extend the earlier bail granted to his client to cover the new charge.
However, the prosecution lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, while not opposed to the request, said the defendant must be available for trial at all times.
In the absence of any objection, the court ordered that Emefiele should continue to enjoy the previous bail granted him by court and adjourned till February 12 and 13 for trial.
