The trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been adjourned to January 18, 2024 by Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Justice Muazu ruled that Emefiele would remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja until his bail conditions are met.
Emefiele was granted bail on November 22, with a requirement to pay N300 million and provide two sureties with certificates of occupancy and property titles in the Maitama District.
Additionally, he must surrender his travel documents to the court registrar and stay within the Abuja Municipal Council. Emefiele was not present for the ruling on his bail application, as he was already at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The Federal High Court in Lagos State granted bail to Emefiele four months ago in the amount of N20 million.
However, the Federal Government did not fulfill this bail. Emefiele was charged with six counts of alleged procurement fraud on November 17, 2023.
The original charge consisted of 20 counts totaling N6.5 billion, but it was reduced to six counts amounting to N1.6 billion. Emefiele is the sole defendant in this new charge. After the charges were read to him, the former CBN Governor pleaded not guilty.
The amended charge sheet still accuses Emefiele of procurement fraud, claiming that he illegally purchased 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.
He is also accused of awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854 million.
