New details about the alleged fraud involving former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele have emerged.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges in recently revised charges presented to Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday that Emefiele impersonated the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in order to unlawfully acquire $6.2 million.
According to the revised allegation marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele conspired with one Odoh Ocheme, who is currently on the run, to get $6.2 million from the CBN on February 8, 2023, saying that it was demanded by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.”
The EFCC, Emefiele, said the SGF requested the CBN release “a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 in line with Mr. President’s directive.”
The anti-graft agency said Emefiele made the claim despite knowing that it was false, “and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Furthermore, the anti-graft agency said that in January 2023, Emefiele fabricated a paper headed “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated January 26, 2023, and bearing Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
He is accused of conspiring with the fleeing Ocheme to perform a “illegal act, to wit: forgery.”
Furthermore, Emefiele is accused of giving corrupt benefits to his wife, Omoile Margaret, and brother-in-law, Omoile Macombo. This includes allegedly awarding a contract worth N99.8 million for the restoration of a part of the CBN Governor’s house in Lagos.
According to the anti-graft agency, the contract for upgrading the CBN Governor’s lodge at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was assigned to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a firm in which both people serve as directors and own the majority of the shares. The EFCC alleges that Emefiele’s actions violate Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
The updated charge sheet includes a total of 20 charges against Emefiele.
During Thursday’s hearings, Matthew Bukka, defending the accused, sought the court to ease the limits on his client, offering confidence that there would be no bail breach if the restrictions were withdrawn.
The EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose to the request. However, he urged that Emefiele produce a written commitment agreeing to remain in the nation if the appeal for easing the limitations was approved.
“From experience, we have seen cases where travel documents are with the court and the defendant will travel out of the country. What they usually do is go to the immigration and depose an affidavit that their travelling documents are missing.
“So in addition to his travelling documents being with the court, he should write an undertaking that the defendant will remain in Nigeria for the duration of his trial. I am not in any way suggesting the defendant will jump bail,” Oyedepo said.
Ruling, the judge held, “The defendant’s application is hereby granted. He must remain in the country for the pendency of his trial.”
The court then deferred until today (Friday) for him to enter a plea to the amended accusations.
