Ex-CBN Gov, Emefiele Arraigned, Denies Corruption Charges

A former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has been arraigned on corruption charges.

Naija News understands that the charges were filed against Emefiele by the Federal Government on Friday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the charges, the Federal Government alleged that Emefiele illegally bought 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2bn.

The former CBN governor was accused of giving a corrupt advantage to Yaro by awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854m.

Count one read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 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 Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a director and thereby committed an offence.”

In the second count, Emefiele was accused of using his position to corruptly confer an advantage on Yaro, “a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99,900,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro Director and thereby committed an offence.”

He was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 by awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Landcruiser V8 April 1616 Investment Ltd., in 2019 at the cost of N73m.

The fourth count was about a Toyota Landcruiser V8 valued at N73,800,000 awarded illegally to April 1616 Investment Ltd.

The FG further accused the former CBN governor of also awarding a contract to Yaro for the supply of two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles at the cost of N44,200,000 in 2020.

The former CBN governor was accused of giving a corrupt advantage to Yaro by awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854m.

Emefiele who was dressed in blue Guinea Brocade babaringa with a Hausa cap to match, was brought to court for arraignment by his lead counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), in compliance with an order of court.

The former apex bank head, who was accused of conferring corruption advantages on a staff of CBN, Saadat Ramalan Yaro, through awards of various contracts, however, denied the six count charges.

The legal team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is prosecuting the defendant on behalf of the Federal Government was led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

At the time of this report, a fierce legal battle was ongoing on the request for Emefiele’s bail pending his trial.

Justice Hamza Muazu is expected to make a ruling on the bail request.