Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, faces additional legal challenges as the Federal Government has revised the charges against him. The charges, originally six in number and involving forgery, the bestowing of corrupt advantages, and criminal breach of trust, have now been expanded to 20.
Initially, the Federal Government had lodged 19 charges related to a N6.9 billion procurement fraud case against Emefiele. However, this count was later reduced to six charges, specifically concerning the misappropriation of N1.2 billion, for which he is presently on trial.
The amended charges outline that Emefiele is accused of falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, to obtain $6.2 million. The government contends that this action violates Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The charge details, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about the 8th day of February 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 “in line with Mr. President’s directive” which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.”
Emefiele is also accused of conspiring with Eric Ocheme, who is currently at large, to commit forgery, contravening Section 96 (1) and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.