The alleged procurement fraud trial of the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has been adjourned to October 22, by a High court of the FCT on Tuesday.
Godwin Emefiele is charged with an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission.
He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served at the CBN.
Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the former CBN governor forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and was purported to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, AGF.
Besides he was also accused of using his office as the CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
Godwin Emefiele in his amended charge was alleged to have, on Feb. 8, 2023 knowingly obtained, by false pretence, 6.2 million dollars by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation via a letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Presidential directive.”
Justice Hamza Muazu of the High court of FCT adjourned until October 21 after hearing from the testimony of the 9th prosecution witness (PW9).
He further adjourned until July 8 for hearing of Emefiele’s application seeking for the release of his passport to enable him to attend to medical appointments.
Earlier, the EFCC counsel, Barr. Rotimi Oyedepo, brought two witnesses PW8 and PW9.
Umar Tilde the 8th prosecution witness (PW8) works with Zenith Bank as the Compliance Officer.
He told the court that the EFCC, requested for account opening documents, statement of account, and certificate of identification for the account of Emefiele.
On whether Emefiele had only one account with the bank, he said the letter from the EFCC had different account numbers in it.
The prosecution’s 9th witness is Mrs Abibia Ockiya-Ogeleye , a lawyer and the Principal Partner of A & A Legal Consociate.
She handled the incorporation matters at the CAC for Architkun Nigeria Ltd.
According to the witness, prior to 2021, the company had two directors.
The witness added also that all she did was given to her by Esther Oyeladun.
After her testimony, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, Emefiele’s counsel told the court that his client applied for the release of his passport to travel for a medical reasons.
Chinedum Anayo