The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a third amendment to the charges against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. In the latest amendment presented before Justice Hamza Muazu in Abuja on Thursday, the EFCC alleges that Emefiele impersonated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to unlawfully acquire $6.2 million.
According to the amended charge with reference CR/577/2023, Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, collaborated with an individual named Odoh Ocheme, who is currently evading authorities. They allegedly obtained $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by claiming it was requested by the SGF through a letter dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
The EFCC asserts that Emefiele falsely asserted that the SGF had directed the CBN to release “a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 in line with Mr. President’s directive.”
Despite knowing the claim was untrue, Emefiele is accused of committing an offense contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
In the amended charge, the EFCC further alleges that in January 2023, Emefiele forged a document titled “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
He said to have allegedly connived with the fleeing Ocheme to commit the “illegal act to wit: forgery.”
Furthermore, Emefiele was accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his wife, Omoile Margret, and brother In-law, Omoile Macombo, by allegedly awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos to the tune of N99.8m.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s lodge, located at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was awarded to a company named Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, “wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders.”
The EFCC said Emefiele’s alleged action was a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The amended charge sheet contains a total of 20 counts against Emefiele.
Justice adjourned till today (Friday) for Emefiele to take his plea on the amended charges.
In the original charge filed against him in August 2023, Emefiele was accused of perpetrating procurement fraud to the tune of N6.5bn.
He was then charged alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, and her company, April 1616 Investment.
The EFCC later amended the charge by reducing the counts to six, removing the names of Yaro and April 1616 Investment, while the quantum of the alleged procurement fraud was reduced to N1.2bn.
The EFCC subsequently opened its trial and had so far called three witnesses before the latest amendment.
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