• Wednesday, May 08, 2024
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Emefiele pleads not guilty to alleged procurement fraud

Emefiele-at-court (1)

Godwin Emefiele, the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, has pleaded not guilty to the amended 20-count charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The embattled Ex-CBN Governor who is facing charges relating to procurement fraud amounting to N1.2 billion, was arraigned at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja on Friday.

The EFCC, on Thursday, filed an amended 20-count charge against the Emefiele before the High Court.

The charges, which were originally six counts, were expanded to include offences such as criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The EFCC alleged that the embattled former CBN governor used his position to confer corrupt advantages in awarding contracts.

“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 ”, part of the charges read.

The trial was adjourned to the 12th and 13th of February.